Makazole Mapimpi picks up 5-game suspension

The Disciplinary process related to Makazole Mapimpi Red Card in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4 game against Ulster Rugby on Saturday 18 October has resulted in a five game suspension.

After an act of foul play by Hollywoodbets Sharks player No 11 (Makazole Mapimpi), referee Ben Whitehouse showed the Player a Red Card in the 55th minute of the game under Law 9.18 – A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Sheriff Kathrine Mackie), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Sheriff Mackie found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry point of low-end warranting six weeks. The Player received two Red Cards in 2023 and 2025, and cannot be said to have a clean disciplinary record. The Player received one week mitigation after acknowledging and accepting act of foul play was committed which results in a five game suspension.

Fixtures Makazole Mapimpi is unavailable for:

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Scarlets, 25 October 2025 BKT URC

South Africa v Japan, 1 November 2025, Castle Lager Outgoing Tour

France v South Africa, 8 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series

Italy v South Africa, 15 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series

Ireland v South Africa, 22 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series