Jaguares primed to top SA conference, Mapimpi on fire, and Leinster bounce back.
Jaguares primed to top SA conference
After their hard-earned 23-15 win over the Waratahs on Saturday, the Jaguares continue to top the SA conference on 36-points, while sitting in second overall. The result marked their sixth win in their last seven matches and, with two of their next three coming at home, means the fate of the SA conference is very much in their hands. Despite Phil Kearns’ latest comments regarding their continued inclusion in the competition, the Argentinians should be proud of their steady improvement since their introduction in 2016 and should look forward to pushing on in the near future.
Mapimpi on fire
By the end of the 2018 Test season, it seemed pretty certain that Sbu Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyanti were set to start on the wing in the Boks’ biggest Rugby World Cup matches in 2019. A few months later, however, and the form of Makazole Mapimpi has completely shaken up the status quo. The 28-year-old produced another scintillating Man of the Match display in the Sharks’ 27-17 win over the Lions, in which he scored a crucial intercept try and carried out a try-saving tackle on Lionel Mapoe. While the likes of Nkosi, Dyanti, Cheslin Kolbe and even Dillyn Leyds will doubtless be contesting for a spot on the trip to Japan, Mapimpi’s place should be all but wrapped up.
Leinster bounce back
Following their painstaking 10-20 loss to Saracens in the Champions Cup final a fortnight ago, Leinster did well to ensure they didn’t finish the season empty-handed as they defeated Glasgow 18-15 in a thriller of a Pro14 final on Saturday. Leo Cullen’s men were just good enough to beat an enthusiastic Warriors side who, for all their efforts, will feel aggrieved at not having gotten over the line in the title-decider. The result underlined the Dublin-based outfit’s overall quality and, considering the amount of internationals that partook in the event, ensured Ireland will be confident ahead of the World Cup in September.
Written by Shaun Goosen
