Electric-paced former Southern Kings try-machine Makazole “Drex” Mapimpi has been included in the Springbok starting lineup for their opening match of the season against Wales in Washington DC on Saturday night.
The Mdantsane-born Mapimpi was one of several Kings players who announced their arrival on the international stage last year when the Port Elizabeth side scored notable Super Rugby wins over the Bulls and Sharks
After arriving at the Kings from the Border Bulldogs, Mapimpi became an instant favourite with the Nelson Mandela Bay crowd with his barn-storming runs down the touchline.
The flying wing was at the forefront of the Kings success story with 11 tries and he was marked down as a future Springbok as the PE side punched above its weight.At the end of the season, Mapimpi was of one several players who left the cash-strapped franchise for greener pastures.Mapimpi was one of the finds of the competition as the Kings bagged six wins and finished ahead of the Bulls and Cheetahs on the final Super Rugby log.
The flying wing, who got his nickname Drex after the super villain in the Henry Danger TV series, made more than 50 appearances for the Border Bulldogs before joining the Kings.
During the season, Mapimpi, Lionel Cronje and Andisa Ntsila were recognised by the national selectors when they were named in the South Africa A team to play against the French Barbarians.
The tries did not dry up for Mapimpi who continued his sensational scoring efforts for his new team the Cheetahs.
Mapimpi scored seven tries for his new team in the Currie Cup, and 10 more in his debut Pro14 season.
His nomadic life as a professional continued when he joined the Sharks, and to date he has scored three tries in four Super Rugby outings for the Durban side.
Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain a young Springbok team in Washington, which features seven uncapped players in the starting lineup.
Du Toit (lock) will lead SA for the first time when they take on the Welsh in this once-off international, which falls outside the Test window.
The seven players in the starting team who will be making their debut in the United States capital are Travis Ismaiel Mapimpi (wings), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), Ivan van Zyl (scrumhalf), Kwagga Smith (flank), Jason Jenkins (lock) and Ox Nche (prop).
A further six players with no Test experience were included on the bench, namely Akker van der Merwe (hooker), Thomas du Toit (prop), Marvin Orie (lock), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose-forward), Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) and Robert du Preez (flyhalf).
If Du Preez comes on as a substitute, it will be the first time in SA history that there will be a set of a Springbok father with three Springbok sons – Robert (snr), Jean-Luc, Dan and Robert (Jnr). The Du Preez’s will also become the fourth set of three Springbok brothers.
Erasmus has opted for an experienced core of players – Jesse Kriel (centre), Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Oupa Mohoje (flank), Du Toit (lock) and Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker) – to provide the necessary calmness and guidance. He said he was looking forward to see the Springboks take one of Europe’s most powerful sides.
The Springbok team: Curwin Bosch (Sharks); Travis Ismaiel (Bulls), Jesse Kriel (Bulls), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks); Elton Jantjies (Lions), Ivan van Zyl (Bulls); Dan du Preez (Sharks), Oupa Mohoje (Cheetahs), Kwagga Smith ( Lions), Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt, Stormers), Jason Jenkins ( Bulls), Wilco Louw (Stormers), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Sharks), Ox Nche (Cheetahs).
Reserves: Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Marvin Orie Lions), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers), Embrose Papier (Bulls), Robert du Preez (Sharks), Warrick Gelant (Bulls)...