Sharks and Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi has been handed a five-week suspension following a red card incident during last weekend’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Ulster in Durban.
The experienced winger was sent off in the 55th minute by referee Ben Whitehouse for a tip tackle on Ulster fullback Mike Lowry. A subsequent disciplinary hearing found Mapimpi guilty of foul play, ruling that the challenge was intentional and reckless. While no injury occurred, the URC’s disciplinary panel determined that the offence warranted a low-end suspension due to the absence of mitigating factors such as remorse or an apology.
As a result, Mapimpi will miss the Sharks’ home fixture against the Scarlets at Kings Park this weekend, along with four of the Springboks’ five matches on their end-of-year European tour. Although not included in Rassie Erasmus’ 36-man touring squad, Mapimpi had been placed on standby for potential selection.
The earliest possible return for the 2019 Rugby World Cup winner will be on 29 November, when he becomes eligible to play either for the Springboks against Wales or for the Sharks against Connacht in the URC.
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