Makazole Mapimpi reflects on his journey to success

The Tsholomnqa-born star has managed to overcome life challenges to become one of the most influential international rugby players.

Speaking to SABC Sport in Umhlanga where he was named as the Hollywoodbets ambassador, he says this moment reminds him of how far he has come in his career.

"I always go home when I'm off or travelling somewhere, I think when I go home it takes me back and it makes me humble and it makes me appreciate what I have and what I have achieved in life," Mapimpi said.

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"Life doesn't stop, when you achieve something, you need to push more to go forward. The only thing that I can say, going back home, spending time with my fans who don't have anything and are trying in life. Having a chat about anything and also people [from my village], even say that they are proud of me.

"I think when we are having a conversation it's always about how I can help people better themselves. Having those people around me, not running away from them, it's one of the things.

“The kids back at home, when they see me, I think it's a good thing, whenever someone makes it in life, you actually need to go back to where you come from and try to do stuff for people, not by force."

Mapimpi also gives a lot of credit to Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus for how he believes in the players, on and off the field.

"Kindness always shines and it just shows that when we are working together, he always says that if we work together everyone is gonna win. Of course, it's gonna be a few names that are going to shine more than the other guys at the same time which is normal," he added.

"But having people that understand the game, make people believe [in themselves] and make people successful in life in terms of rugby, put in the flag of South Africa even when you walk in Australia and London, people ask 'Are you from South Africa?'

“They actually have something to say about South Africa every single time so having people like that is good for us in South Africa."