Springbok and Sharks flyer Makazole Mapimpi has been handed a five-match suspension following his red card in the Sharks’ 26–34 United Rugby Championship defeat to Ulster this past weekend.
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Referee Ben Whitehouse gave Mapimpi his marching orders in the 55th minute for a dangerous tackle under Law 9.18— lifting an opponent off the ground and driving them so that the head or upper body makes contact with the ground.
During the disciplinary process, overseen by Judicial Officer Sheriff Kathrine Mackie, Mapimpi accepted that his challenge constituted foul play and that the red card was warranted.
Sheriff Mackie ruled that the offence met the red-card threshold with a low-end entry point of six weeks. However, with Mapimpi’s previous red cards in 2023 and 2025 counting against him, his disciplinary record offered no protection.
After accepting responsibility and showing remorse, Mapimpi received a one-week reduction, bringing his suspension to five matches.
Fixtures Makazole Mapimpi will miss:
October 25: Sharks vs Scarlets (URC)
November 1: South Africa vs Japan (Outgoing Tour)
November 8: France vs South Africa (Nations Series)
November 15: Italy vs South Africa (Nations Series)
November 22: Ireland vs South Africa (Nations Series)
The ruling is a significant blow for both the Sharks and the Springboks, who will now be without one of their most experienced wings for a crucial stretch of fixtures.
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