Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Sunday September 22, 2024 at 8:23 p.m.
Deprived of Raymond Rhule, Stade Rochelais could well recruit Springbok Makazole Mapimpi. Double world champion, the winger lifted the Challenge Cup last season with the Durban Sharks.
This Saturday, La Rochelle brilliantly dominated Pau at home in the context of the third day of Top 14, pocketing the offensive bonus (49-25). An excellent operation tarnished however by the serious injury of Pierre Bourgarit, seriously injured in the shin. A sad episode for the hooker, already deprived of several months of competition last season. Could the French international have been the victim of a curse? Because during pre-season training, another element little concerned during the previous season, contracted a serious injury to the Achilles tendon. It is Raymond Rhule.
Sidelined for several months, the South African could well be replaced by a compatriot. According to an indiscretion from Rugby Pass, Makazole Mapimpi’s profile is of great interest to Ronan O’Gara who would have however written other names on his little papers. Double world champion with the Springboks, the fast winger comes out of a full season crowned with a Challenge Cup with the Durban Sharks who had notably pushed Clermont out of their way in the semi-final. In 17 matches in all competitions, he planted 8 tries in 2023/24.
Mapimpi in the Springboks legend
The man who blew out his 34th candle on July 26th took part in the Springboks’ fourth world crown last year in France in a substitute role, for example he did not take part in the final against New Zealand. On the other hand four years earlier in Japan, he had played a leading role. By flattening the first try of the final against Owen Farrell’s England, he had become the first South African to find the end zone in a World Cup finaltaking this honour away from former Toulouse player Cheslin Kolbe.
