Makazole D-rex Mapimpi is a famous South African professional rugby player who has had a significant impact on the sport. He currently plays as a winger and center forward for the Sharks in the USA Rugby Championship and the South Africa national team.
Mapimpi’s career was marked by many achievements and awards. He was a key member of the victorious Springboks team that won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and he continued his outstanding performances to help the team claim the Rugby World Cup title 2023 in France.
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- Full name: Makazole D-rex Mapimpi
- Stage name: Makazole Mapimpi
- Date of birth: July 26, 1990
- Age: 34 years old
- Place of birth: Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: South African professional rugby player
- Height: 1.84 m
- Parents: Eunice
- Siblings: Zukiswa Mapimpi and Zolani Mapimpi
- Spouse: Sasha De Sousa
- Children: 1
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: 5 million USD
Early life and education
Makazole D-rex Mapimpi was born on 26 July 1990 in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was raised by his grandmother after the tragic deaths of his parents and siblings. Mapimpi’s mother, Eunice, died in a car accident, and his father was never present in his life. His brother, Zolani, died in an electrocution, and his sister, Zukiswa, died of encephalopathy.
Mapimpi attended Jim Mvabasa Senior High School in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He is ethnically Afrikaans and follows Christianity as his religion.
Career
Makazole Mapimpi is a South African rugby player who currently represents The Sharks. He has made over 50 appearances across all senior competitions, demonstrating his experience and dedication to the sport.
Mapimpi’s rugby journey began in his youth, when he attended SS Jim Mvabasa School in King William Town, Eastern Cape. Growing up in the village of Tsholomnqa, Mapimpi had a modest upbringing, but his passion for the game was evident from an early age.
In 2009, Mapimpi was a member of the U19 Border team, showing potential and skills at junior level. His impressive performances at youth level attracted the attention of provincial side the Border Bulldogs, and in 2014 he was one of a number of amateur club players to be included in the squad after the professional was declared bankrupt.
Mapimpi made his first-class debut for the Border Bulldogs in the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition, marking the occasion with a try just after half-time. He continued to impress, scoring a vital goal three minutes from the end of the Border Bulldogs’ first match of the 2015 Currie Cup qualifying tournament, helping his team defeat the defending champions, Griquas .
In 2017, Mapimpi’s career took a significant turn when the Free State Cheetahs announced that they had signed him until the end of the 2018 season. The move gave Mapimpi the opportunity to showcase his skills. himself on a bigger stage, eventually leading to his move to The Sharks, a more prominent rugby team.
Mapimpi’s hard work and dedication paid off when he made his test debut for the Springboks in 2018 at the age of 27. Under the guidance of Head Coach Rassie Erasmus and Backs Coach Mzwandile Stick, Mapimpi has become a prolific scorer for the national team, contributing significantly to their success at the 2019 Rugby Championship.
His outstanding performance also earned him a place in the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup squad, where he played a key role in the team’s victorious campaign, scoring six tries throughout tournament, including twice in the quarter-finals against Japan.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @makazoli
- Facebook name: Makazole Drex Mapimpi
- Twitter name: @Makazole16
Personal life
Makazole Mapimpi, the famous South African rugby player, is said to have married his wife, Sasha De Sousa. The couple welcomed their first child in 2023, although the child’s name has not yet been publicly revealed. Before their marriage, Mapimpi was in a relationship with influencer Sasha de Sousa, but their relationship was never officially confirmed.
Net worth
Makazole Mapimpi, a famous South African rugby player, is estimated to have a net worth of around $5 million. Mapimpi’s substantial income mainly comes from his lucrative contracts with the rugby team The Sharks, as well as various endorsement deals with famous brands such as Puma and Mercedes-Benz.
As a key player for the South African national rugby team and a standout player for The Sharks, Mapimpi receives a substantial salary.
