Cape Town – Makazole Mapimpi, the Springbok and Sharks player, found himself embroiled in controversy after a heated clash with Cardiff Rugby’s Efan Daniel during a match on January 25, 2025.
According to The South African, The altercation occurred after a penalty was awarded to Cardiff, with the two players exchanging heated words and physical blows.
A video clip showed Mapimpi shirtless and allegedly attempting an eye gouge on Daniel, a claim disputed by some rugby fans who suggested Daniel might have attempted the same.
0% body fat. #CARvSHA pic.twitter.com/Ro6yd9CAv3
— Riaan Louw (@Ringo26) January 25, 2025
The incident sparked strong reactions, with some calling for Mapimpi to be banned, citing the alleged eye gouge, while others defended him.
This was not the first such controversy for Mapimpi, as he was previously banned in 2022 for eye-gouging Bordeaux-Bègles’ Maxime Lucu, resulting in a four-week ban, later reduced to two weeks, the report said.
Eye gouging is a serious offence in rugby, with penalties ranging from a 4-week suspension to a three-year ban, depending on the severity of the incident.
However, neither Mapimpi nor Sharks coach John Plumtree commented on the recent incident after the game.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
