BY ENOCK MUCHINJO
HARARE – Lions star fullback Tapiwa Mafura is steadily putting his name in the Currie Cup record books, and he says he “loves” doing it.
The Zimbabwe international – who has won South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition two years in a row with two different teams – is now yearning to put a third consecutive title on his resume with a third team.
There is however the small matter of Saturday’s semi-final clash with Cheetahs at Ellis Park if Lions are to earn a crack at the 2024 title.
The 28-year-old Sables wizard interestingly lifted last year’s Currie Cup with Cheetahs, his second following the first one in 2022 at Pumas.
“It definitely feels weird, playing against my old team, especially having won the Currie Cup with those guys last season,” Mafura told SportsCast on Wednesday.
“It’s a weird feeling. I’ve played against them before in a semi-final when I was playing for the Pumas, when I won it for the first time. It was a very tight game, so I expect the same this time around, on Saturday. It’s going to be a cracker of a game, Test rugby match type of a feeling. It’s going to require lots of focus, great effort to bring out a good performance. But I’m very excited for it.”
Mafura is fully aware of the personal milestone he is set to create if Johannesburg side Lions clinch the Currie Cup this season.
“It would be massive,” said Mafura. “I love making history and this is something I never thought would happen. I’m loving every moment of it, and trying to be present in it as well.”
Lions beat Cheetahs 38-21 away in Bloemfontein last month in the round-robin stage of the competition, but Saturday’s showdown in Jo`burg, in front of their Ellis Park faithful, will be a totally new challenge for Ivan van Rooyen’s side.
Such occasions fire up players for the big stage like Mafura, who is eager to make Cheetahs rue his departure.
“That’s the extra motivation I have, to be successful and, you know, make them (Cheetahs) feel like I shouldn’t have left,” remarked Mafura.
“They are my old team, you know, I recently left. That’s going to be an interesting game once again. It was much fun and enjoyable when we played them in Bloemfontein a few weeks ago and playing against them again is just another test that I’m looking forward to. I’m absolutely hoping to get over that hurdle so that we can get into the final, which is our team’s goal.
“Ja man, just doing it for my family, my wife and my kid, they really motivate me every day to wake up and just go and do great, improve every day. It’s for them. There is no extra motivation needed other than that. Really just excited for the weekend’s game.”
Away from the Currie Cup, Mafura has also been in mesmerising form in Test rugby with Zimbabwe.
The Harare-born speedster turned on the style with some stunning individual displays and was voted the tournament’s best player as Zimbabwe hoisted the Africa Cup in Uganda in July, marking a huge show of intent by the Sables in their bid to qualify for the 2027 World Cup.
Tapiwa Mafura scores a try for Zimbabwe against Namibia in the Africa Cup in July.
“The dream is definitely alive,” commented Mafura.
“Everyone is excited, I think there is a belief that we can definitely qualify for the World Cup. We just need to stay consistent and replicate the performances that we put up in Uganda. I do believe that we can do it, I’m very excited. There is definitely going to be new people that will be joining and old people that are coming back, we are looking forward to that. I think it’s a dream that requires everyone to buy in and really have patience in the planning that the coaches have, and the process that we have to go through. So ja, these are very exciting times ahead. I’m very pleased to be healthy, playing and getting all these opportunities that I’m getting. Just excited of what’s lying ahead.”
