By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi has been named the South African Player of the Month for January in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
A panel of South African rugby media singled out Mapimpi for not only his four tries in two matches in January – including a hat-trick against the Emirates Lions – but also his general work rate and “anticipation and creativity on attack and his tenacity on defence – whether through his tackling or claiming the high ball”.
The media were unanimous in their praise of Mapimpi’s performances, which they agree makes him the pre-eminent winger in world rugby at present.
“Mapimpi has underlined his standing as one of the premier wings in world rugby. His ability to combine with Lukhanyo Am in particular gives the Cell C Sharks a different dynamic with ball-in-hand.
? @Makazole16 races to January Vodacom #URC Player of the Month award – more here: https://t.co/qZdZAyotwa@URCOfficial_RSA @VodacomRugga @SharksRugby pic.twitter.com/NswXIEko4u
— Springboks (@Springboks) February 9, 2022
“It’s not hard to see why he is regarded as one the best finishers in world rugby at the moment. Mapimpi is at the top of his game. He’s world class and in a league of his own.”
Meanwhile tournament organisers have confirmed new dates and venues for the United Rugby Championship encounters that were postponed due to Covid-19 late last year.
The four South African franchises – Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers – will host Scarlets, Munster, Cardiff and Zebre Parma next month in two rescheduled rounds.
The onset of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in November led to travel restrictions that wreaked havoc with the schedule, however with the pandemic seemingly taking a turn, the rescheduled matches from rounds six and seven will be played in March.
On the weekend of 11-13 March, the Sharks will host Welsh outfit Scarlets in Durban; the Bulls will take on Irish giants Munster in Pretoria; the Lions will battle it out with Welsh team Cardiff in Johannesburg; and the Stormers will line up against Italians Zebre Parma in Cape Town.
A week later, from 18-20 March, the round seven fixtures will see the Bulls meet Scarlets in Pretoria; the Lions tackle Munster in Johannesburg; the Sharks host Zebre Parma in Durban; and the Stormers square off against Cardiff in Cape Town.