'He is a special guy': Rassie reflects on emotional bond with Makazole Mapimpi

At the age of 34, Mapimpi is approaching the twilight of his international career, particularly as an outside back, but the double World Cup winner continues to impress when given an opportunity.

In fact, in his five appearances in Green and Gold this year he has crossed the whitewash on six occasions, continuing to produce a fantastic strike rate.

Still, even Mapimpi does not expect to remain in the Springbok squad for their World Cup title defence in Australia in 2027, by which time he will be 37.

"I think I'm good now, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to make another World Cup. I'm not saying I won't, but I don't think so," Mapimpi told reporters in Edinburgh last week.

"There are a lot of players that have come in now, and it's a good thing for the team. There is going to be generation after generation, and for me, it's about assisting the players, especially if I'm not playing."

Erasmus admits that it will be a "sad day" when Mapimpi is no longer selected for the Springboks with the head coach explaining the emotional tie the coaching team has with some of the players.

Mapimpi earned his Test debut in Erasmus' first game in charge of the Springboks against Wales in 2018 and the winger has been a crucial cog in the team since, becoming the first Bok player to score a try in a Rugby World Cup final.

While his 2023 tournament was cut short through injury, Mapimpi has continued to impress when given the chance in the Bok jersey, despite being overtaken in the pecking order by Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Erasmus says that there are quality players that are knocking on the door but the staff's emotional tie to Mapimpi and the fact that he is still producing standout performances like the one against Scotland makes it difficult to deal with the fact his career is winding down.

"He is a special guy," Erasmus said with a smile in the post-match conference.

"There is sometimes an emotional connection with the players and the management and coaching staff and when have the opportunity, we do try and make it special for them. But yeah it will be sad the day when Mapimpi is done because he always produces.

Part of Erasmus' job in this current World Cup cycle will be dealing with the exit of several Bok veterans but for a team built like a family it's no easy task.

"Sometimes it is so tough a guy like Edwill van der Merwe hasn't really played a lot because of injury and he was in camp with us, Quan Horn at fullback - we are close to getting Willie Le Roux to 100 caps, we know what form Fassi is in but as a team, we are a bit like a family as well.

"Mapimpi is one of us and there is certainly guys who are knocking really hard on the door and we know Cheslin and Kurt-Lee are class. We know there are a few other wingers that we could have brought on tour but with it being a three-week tour, it is a bit different than an incoming series where we can have the players for five weeks in camp and they can learn our culture.

"So as long as we can look after Mapimps and he scores tries and get Willie to his 100th Test match."

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