A former Springbok has signed up for the Pretoria Warthogs in the Mzansi Rugby League.
Lionel Mapoe has been named director of rugby of the Pretoria-based club, becoming the second former professional player to take up such a role in the new competition. Former Sharks flyhalf Monty Dumond occupies the same position at the Paarl Caracals.
The MRL is scheduled to launch in March, with 10 teams competing and players reportedly set to earn between R10,000 and R25,000.
Mapoe, who earned 14 Test caps for the Springboks between 2015 and 2018, admitted he had considered making a playing comeback in the MRL.
“When I stopped playing in 2024, I missed the game a lot,” the 38-year-old former centre told Rapport.
“I even started playing club rugby again, but it wasn’t the same. It no longer gave me the same satisfaction.
“For a while, I even wanted to play in the Mzansi Rugby League, but then decided I would rather be involved in a different capacity.”
Mapoe, who also represented the Lions, Cheetahs and Bulls during his playing career, has already taken his first steps into coaching.
“I coached at a school in Johannesburg and this year I coached at Hoërskool Middelburg,” he said.
“I always knew it would be difficult to simply walk away from the game. You always want to do something you love.”
MORE: ‘MRL not against SA Rugby’
SA Rugby has warned that players who participate in the MRL will be permanently barred from representing teams under its jurisdiction, including Currie Cup, URC and national sides.
However, MRL organisers remain hopeful of establishing a working relationship with SA Rugby.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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A former Springbok has signed up for the Pretoria Warthogs in the Mzansi Rugby League.
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