Sport | Mapimpi cops three-game ban for Cardiff scuffle

Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi and Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel get involved in a scuffle during a URC match at Cardiff Arms Park on 25 January 2025. (Chris Fairweather/Gallo Images)

• Sharks
  winger Makazole Mapimpi has received a three-game suspension, as announced
  by a United Rugby Championship (URC) disciplinary committee.
• The
  suspension comes as a result of his scuffle with Cardiff hooker Efan
  Daniel in a URC match on 25 January.
• Mapimpi
  will now only return to action in the middle of March.
• For
  more URC news, visit our dedicated section.

Winger Makazole Mapimpi has received a three-game suspension
for his part in a scuffle during the Sharks’ clash with Cardiff in a United
Rugby Championship (URC) fixture on 25 January.

The 34-year-old double World Cup winner, one of his side’s
try scorers on the night, was at the centre of an altercation with Cardiff
hooker Efan Daniel that occurred midway through the first half at Cardiff Arms
Park. 

After the whistle had sounded for a penalty, Mapimpi and
Daniel locked up in what seemed nothing more than a bit of ‘argy-bargy’. 

Mapimpi, clearly fired up, had his jersey pulled off over
his head, and the altercation lasted only a few seconds. 

Television replays, however, showed Mapimpi’s hand appearing
to make contact with Daniel’s face. 

While the TMO did not intervene on the night, the incident
caused an outcry on social media from Welsh supporters, particularly.

On Tuesday afternoon, the citing commissioner charged
Mapimpi, and the URC announced its verdict regarding the incident.

He was charged under Law 9.12: A player must not physically
or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes but is not limited to biting,
punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm,
shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

In his responses to the judicial officer overseeing the
disciplinary process (David Martin, Ireland), Mapimpi accepted that he had
committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.

Martin found that the incident met the red card threshold,
with a lower-end entry point warranting four weeks.

Mapimpi received two weeks (50%) mitigation due to his
apology and fully engaged participation in the disciplinary process.

Mapimpi was previously cited for a similar offence in EPCR
in the 2022/2023 season, which resulted in suspension. His suspension was,
therefore, extended for another week, for a total of three weeks.  

He will now miss the Sharks URC clashes against the Bulls
(away), Lions (away) and Lions (home).