Female fans around South Africa have been left in shock after Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus shared that Makazole Mapimpi has become both a husband and a father.
The news was revealed just days before the team’s second clash with the All Blacks at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town this weekend.
Mapimpi – who was previously known as one of the Boks’s last eligible bachelors – joins first-time fathers in the squad like Handre Pollard, Faf du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat and Herschel Jantjies.
RASSIE: ‘MAPIMPI’S WIFE IS GIVING BIRTH’
In a media conference, Rassie Erasmus shed light on the rationale behind him picking this weekend’s squad against the All Blacks.
However, what stood out was the glaring omission of one player and the reason why.
Rassie said of Makazole Mapimpi: “His wife is giving birth. We do not want to keep him away from that.”
The statement shocked many rugby fans – particularly female ones – who were surprised that Mapimpi not only had a secret wife but a baby on the way.
X user @SimplyChuene tweeted: “Mapimpi being married might just ruin my whole year.” Another, @adasadandada, added: “Did you hear Mapimpi is married, and his wife is expecting? Come, let me hug you.”
Here are more hilarious responses…
WHO IS THE LATEST SPRINGBOK WAG?
Despite keeping his romantic life off social media, Makazole Mapimpi was linked to a woman named Sasha de Sousa late last year after they were spotted together on the Springboks bus during the Rugby World Cup trophy tour.