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Springboks explain 'new' position Mapimpi is filling for first time

(Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)

Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber has shed light on why he has rejigged his entire back three at the expense of the benched Makazole Mapimpi. The 32-year-old Mapimpi was a starter in all 34 of his appearances for the 2019 World Cup champions and had been the chosen No11 for 20 of the 23 matches played since 2021 under Nienaber.

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Games versus Georgia, Argentina and last July versus Wales in Bloemfontein were the only three occasions that the name of Mapimpi hadn’t featured as the No11 on a Springboks teamsheet in the Nienaber era, but he is now set to embrace a very different role next Saturday in Marseille as he has been chosen as the 23rd man on the bench.

Nienaber has made a total of five changes to the Springboks’ starting XV to play the French following last Saturday’s 19-16 defeat to Ireland in Dublin and his decision regarding Mapimpi has resulted in the entire reshuffle of the back three.

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Willie le Roux is promoted from the replacements to start at full-back and this has led to Cheslin Kolbe, last week’s starting No15, being switched to No14 with last Saturday’s right wing Kurt-Lee Arendse switching to the left wing to take over the No11 jersey usually filed by Mapimpi.

Explaining his logic regarding Mapimpi heading into the second game of the Springboks’ four-Test end-of-year European tour, Nienaber said: “We just thought that Willie brought good direction when he came on in the second half (in Dublin).

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“He brings all that experience that he has picked up over the last couple of years. He is a well-seasoned, experienced full-back and we think with the likes of Cheslin, with the likes of Kurt-Lee and we know Makazole is a quality player that we have got three really good wings that can finish.

“We just thought that is the best combination to face the French. We face a particular style of play that is maybe a little different to other countries and we think they are the most suited back three to handle this.”

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1 Comment
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CT 745 days ago

They listened to me Willie 15 Colby wing game changer boys and girls a lekker ou bok naai on it's way

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BeamMeUp 2 hours ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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