In a significant disciplinary ruling, South African wing Makazole Mapimpi has been suspended for three matches following an incident that occurred during a United Rugby Championship (URC) game against Cardiff. The altercation, which took place on January 25, 2025, involved Mapimpi making contact with the eye area of Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel.

During the match, which saw the Sharks triumph 42-22 at Cardiff Arms Park, Mapimpi was not initially penalized. However, following the match, he was cited for a red card offense against Daniel. In a disciplinary hearing, he acknowledged his actions, leading to the imposed ban.

Mapimpi will now miss crucial URC matches, including a clash against the Bulls on February 15 and consecutively against the Lions. The disciplinary committee took into consideration Mapimpi's previous infraction, where he received a two-week suspension for similar eye contact with Maxime Lucu, scrum-half for Bordeaux-Bègles, in a January 2023 European Champions Cup game.

This incident raises concerns around player safety and the need for strict enforcement of rugby union's rules regarding player conduct. As Mapimpi is a key player in the Sharks’ squad and has been part of two World Cup-winning teams, his absence will undoubtedly impact the team's performance in the upcoming matches. The rugby community awaits further developments as the Sharks prepare to adapt without one of their standout players.