Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi suspended for foul play in Cardiff incident

Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi has not escaped sanction for his involvement in an off-the-ball incident against Cardiff in a recent United Rugby Championship match in Wales.

Although the Durban outfit won the encounter 42-22, which moved them up to fourth on the log, the Springbok speedster got into a scuffle with Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel in the 52nd minute at Cardiff Arms Park on January 25.

The 34-year-old, who scored a try in the first half, had his jersey pulled over his head by Daniel, and then pushed his hand into the Cardiff replacement’s face.

Social media was filled with allegations of eye-gouging against Mapimpi, but there was no action until Tuesday, when the URC announced that the Sharks No 11 has received a three-match suspension.

The URC stated that the citing commissioner had reported Mapimpi “for an act of foul play”, under Law 9.12 – a player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone.

“Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking,” the ruling stated.

Mapimpi making contact with the eyes is fine now is it? pic.twitter.com/XKiZ3sg1ub

— SmallClone (@Smallclone_) January 25, 2025

“In the player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (David Martin, Ireland), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card.

“Mr Martin found that the incident met the red card threshold, with a lower end entry point warranting four weeks.

“The player received two weeks (50%) mitigation due to his apology and full engaged participation in the disciplinary process.

“The player was previously cited for a similar offence in EPCR in the 2022/2023 season, which resulted in suspension – therefore, considered an aggravating factor, warranting a further one-week sanction. This results in a three-game suspension.”

That means that Mapimpi will miss the Sharks’ next three matches, against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on February 15, the Lions at Ellis Park on March 1 and the Lions at Kings Park on March 8.