ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Friday Nov 20, 2020

Erasmus breaks down in heart-wrenching interview about tragic Mapimpi story

Former Springboks head coach Rassie Erasums was reduced to tears while telling an emotional story about the tragic upbringing of South African winger Makazole Mapimpi.

ADVERTISEMENT

Erasmus was filmed as part of the Springboks World Cup documentary series Chasing The Sun following their epic World Cup triumph over England in Japan last year and the 48-year-old recounted a heartbreaking story about Mapimpi.

A teary Erasmus looked back to South Africa’s farewell match against Argentina, before the Springboks traveled to Japan for the World Cup in late 2019, when the players had pictures of their family members printed onto their shirt numbers.

Tragically Mapimpi lost his mother and two siblings earlier in life and doesn’t have a photograph of his father, meaning the winger only had pictures of himself on his shirt.

Mapimpi went on to score South Africa’s first ever try in a World Cup final, midway through the second half against England, and his five points helped the Springboks to a 12-32 win in Yokohama.

The 30-year-old only made his professional debut in 2014 for the Border Bulldogs and now has 14 Springboks caps to his name after just six years in the top flight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Brilliant footage shows old school...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Jokester has field day with Chris Latham's...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    La Rochelle centre Seuteni produces other worldly offload in dominant victory

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson comes within seconds of a Tuilagi haymaker

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African Panel Debate Apparent ‘Clean Cut’ Red Card In Interesting Debate

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Sevens magic as 'headed' try brings stadium to its feet

View All

Funnies

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stephen Jones’s deleted rugby 7s article leads to hilarious wikipedia update

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: DHL Stormers Celebrate Munster Victory In Style

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Referee brands players 'clowns' in hilarious grassroots clip

View All

Amateur

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Steve Hansen makes statement following Folau selection

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    O'Gara gives honest response on Ireland job in passionate interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

View All