Springboks wing Makazole Mapimpi admits he had moments of self-doubt in the lead-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup team announcement.
The Sharks made history as the first SA team to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup as their forward power inspired them to a 50-35 win over Munster.
Sharks captain Siya Kolisi, alongside teammates Jaden Hendrikse, Eben Etzebeth and Makazole Mapimpi, are the only South Africans nominated for the 2023 EPCR Player of the Year.
The Sharks have lost Makazole Mapimpi for their next two matches after the Springbok winger was hit with a two-week ban for "making contact with the eye area" of Bordeaux-Begles scrumhalf Maxime Lucu.
Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi has been summoned to a disciplinary hearing for an alleged eye gouge during his side's 32-3 Champions Cup win over Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday.
Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell hailed the improvement shown by the Sharks in their bonus-point win over Harlequins.