If his long rugby career has taught Makazole Mapimipi anything, it’s to have patience, and that was never more the case than on his 100th appearance for the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
With just 90 seconds to go against Munster Rugby in Durban on Saturday, the veteran Springboks winger was scoreless with the tries having fallen to team-mates during a dominant display.
But he then proceeded to strike twice in as many minutes to celebrate his century in sensational style.
First, he hacked on a loose ball and won the race for the touchdown, and then came a really special solo effort as he leapt high to claim the restart and evaded three defenders on a thrilling 65 metre run to the line, sparking scenes of wild jubilation on and off the pitch.
He may be well into his 36th year, but Mapimipi clearly still has plenty of pace, while his predatory prowess remains razor sharp. He still knows his way to the try line, that’s for sure!
Speaking after his late, late show in the 45-0 Vodacom URC rout of Munster, he said: “Playing rugby for the longest time, it’s just told me to have patience.
“So when I have the ball, I need to show myself.
“Those were the only opportunities that I had in the game, so it was good for me to capitalise.
“I would like to say thanks to the fans for coming out to support us and I’d also like to say thanks to my mates for fighting for my 100th cap. It was really special for me.
“I don’t have the words to describe what it meant to me. Thank you for the opportunity, the support and everything it took to do it 100 times.
“100 games has meant 100 opportunities to do what I love.”
In a sense, Mapimpi’s marvellous double in the dying minutes was emblematic of his career.
He was very much a late developer in the game.
Born in Tsholomnga, a rural village in the Eastern Cape, he didn’t have boots when he first started out playing rugby and he was 23 before he made his professional debut.
But he proceeded to enjoy a truly meteoric rise.
Within four years, he was playing international rugby for South Africa, having caught the eye during spells with the Border Bulldogs, Southern Kings, Cheetahs and Sharks.
He made his Test debut against Wales in 2018 at the age of 27, and just a year later, he was to play a key role in the Springboks winning the World Cup out in Japan, scoring the opening try in the final against England.
Then, in 2021, he was a pivotal presence in the series victory over the British & Irish Lions, while he was to figure once again as the ‘Boks retained the Webb Ellis trophy at the 2023 World Cup in France.
In all, he has won 47 caps and scored 33 tries amid a hugely impressive strike rate, putting him third on his country’s all-time list behind Bryan Habana and Joost van der Westhuizen.
It’s been some story, as he acknowledged on the weekend.
“First and foremost, it’s very important for a person to find themselves, who they are and what they want in life,” he said.
“Don’t worry about what people are saying outside. There are always going to be distractions.
“Find what you want, believe in what you have and try to learn as much as you can.”
Mapimpi and the Sharks now turn their attention to Friday’s Vodacom URC meeting with play-off rivals Cardiff Rugby at Kings Park.