Sharks coach Sean Everitt hailed the performance of Makazole Mapimpi in Saturday's URC win over the Lions, and reckons he must be the best No 11 in world rugby.
Mapimpi terrorised the Lions defence all afternoon, scoring three tries before also setting up the winning five-pointer in their 47-37 victory at Ellis Park.
And with fellow Boks like Lukhanyo Am, Aphelele Fassi and Sbu Nkosi also looking dangerous in the Sharks backline, Everitt couldn’t help but gush about the level of Springbok talent in his arsenal.
“Those guys are the best in the world in their positions and when you look at Mapimpi, you’ve got to think he’s the best left-wing in the world,” he said.
Sharks head coach Sean Everitt said Makazole Mapimpi could be deemed as the best left wing in rugby after opening his Vodacom United Rugby Championship account with a hat-trick against the Lions in Johannesburg. https://t.co/Sb2GFJz4xA
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) January 24, 2022
“We talk about Cheslin Kolbe, but every time Mapimpi plays, he gets over the chalk, regardless of the level he plays at.
“Lukhanyo Am has been superb and probably the best 13 in the world and it’s great they can perform like that for their franchise.
“It shows that they’re proud of their franchise and they want to pay back because at times, you get players who perform at a higher level, but don’t do so for their franchise.”
Everitt reckons with the return of their Springboks, the Sharks are now starting to resemble a finished product that is capable of doing a lot of damage.
New Year, same old Lukhanyo Am 🔥
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) January 22, 2022
Assisting Makazole Mapimpi 👏
pic.twitter.com/9IeOazfgZn
“The type of rugby that you play is also dependant on the personnel that you have available at your disposal,” he added.
“Having guys like Nkosi, Mapimpi, and Fassi, with Fassi being much improved from the game against the Cheetahs, there are opportunities and those guys can nail them.
“That’s what happened in this game and that’s the reason why we won the game.”
Today, in a senior men’s rugby match, the Sharks beat the Lions. And 5 of the 6 Sharks tries were scored by Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, the talented rugby players developed in Border rugby. Makazole Mapimpi kicked off his 2022 season with a hat-trick of tries. pic.twitter.com/EGOdfXdtCS
— cheryl roberts (@cherylroberts00) January 22, 2022
