Chances are huge that winger Makazole Mapimpi won’t be part of the Springboks squad that will face England in the second match of the Autumn Nations Series this coming weekend.  

This is despite Mapimpi having crossed over the white line twice this past weekend as the world champions defeated Scotland 15-32 at Murrayfield Stadium. 

It appears Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-lee Arendse, who were rested this past weekend as coach Rassie Erasmus went for a 7/1 split on the bench for the first time since the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, will be restored on both wings.  

Mapimpi, who became the first player in South Africa’s history to score a try in the World Cup final in 2019 against the very same England, did not help his course as he was sin-bin for 10 minutes in the second half against Scotland. 

Coach Erasmus might opt for the 6/2 split against England which might see flyhalf Handre Pollard and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach on the bench to replace Manie Libbok and Grant Williams who are set to be given the start.  

However, the two-time South Africa Rugby World Cup winner Mapimpi has painfully admitted that he is slowly accepting that he will not be preferred in playing in big matches, adding that “I know I can’t play rugby forever.”  

In big matches this season, Mapimpi has been overlooked by Erasmus, who has preferred either side of the wing – Kolbe and Arendse, as expected this coming weekend. 

Mapimpi did not play in the series against Ireland in July and again in both matches against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, which the world champions won both, to claim the Freedom Cup for the first time in 2009.  

The next Rugby World Cup in 2027 might also be a bridge too far for the Sharks winger, as he is 34 years old. 

“I won’t play rugby forever,” Mapimpi told Sportswire recently. 

“There is always going to be youngsters coming through and you cannot block the youngsters (given chances), it’s not in me. The only thing that I can do is to help youngsters so that they can get better. It’s not about me, it’s about the team.  

“The only thing I need to face when I’m alone is to do better. Can I challenge those youngsters? Can I be part of the team?”     

Those two tries against Scotland over the weekend have seen Mapimpi move to 32 in 46 matches, six tries behind the late Joost van der Westhuizen and 35 behind Springboks all-time try holder and former World Player of the Year Bryan Habana.    

When asked if he can catch Habana, Mapimpi said he isn’t fixated on breaking records. Instead, he prioritizes the team’s success and his personal growth.

“I’m not that type of the person that always looking for records because I’m coming from a background where I used to grow up with lots of cousins in one house and whatever we do, we did it together,” he said. 

“It is not about me, it’s always about the teamwork. Breaking records is something that can happen naturally. It is very important to focus on yourselves. 

“I have records that Bryan Habana doesn’t have, so I don’t have to chase Habana’s record, but I can break the record that I’m trying to do.  

“So, I don’t have to chase someone’s record because I’m breaking my record right now.”