By Lucky Maree
Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am both come from the Eastern Cape and had amazingly similar rugby careers as young players.
But their family lives were totally different. While the only parental guidance Mapimpi got was from his grandmother who died when he was very young, Am grew up in a large family where his mother encouraged him to play football.
But, like Mapimpi, Am’s love for rugby came through and they made names for themselves playing rugby in the Eastern Cape.
They both played for the Border Bulldogs and the Southern Kings although never together. They finally joined up at the Sharks when Mapimpi started playing for that franchise in 2018.
They were both selected for the Springbok squad to represent their country in the World Cup held in Japan in October and November 2019.
And then they made history together.
On 2 November 2019 at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Makazole Mapimpi scored the first try ever in a World Cup final for the Springboks.
Running down the left-hand touchline, Mapimpi chipped a perfect kick for the speeding Am to collect.
Whether Am could have scored the try himself we’ll never know because he shot the pass out to Mapimpi who ran around to score the try close to the posts.
It was South Africa’s third final, but the first time the Springboks had scored a try in a final.
Two great players had finally come together to create one of the greatest moments in the history of the Springboks.
Pictured above: Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi
Image source: Twitter
