"I Cry Every Time I See This': Rassie Erasmus on Makazole Mapimpi's Family Tragedy

• Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus moved to tears while discussing Makazole Mapimpi’s tragic family story
• Mapimpi’s inspiring journey to becoming a two-time world champion is a sad one as he was basically being raised by his grandmother
• The viral video on social media sparked emotional reactions from netizens as they were touched by Erasmus' tears

South Africa's Rugby national team coach Rassie Erasmus was moved to tears when talking about Makazole Mapimpi's devastating family tragedy in a viral video on social media.

Mapimpi is one of the important figures in the Springboks team, but his background story is nothing to write home about. However, he didn't let that stop him from making it to the top in rugby, and now he's a two-time world champion.

The 34-year-old lost his mother when he was 14, after his father had abandoned them long before her death. He was left in the care of his grandmother. Five years after losing his mum, his sister succumbed to an illness in her brain, while his only brother had his life cut short after he reportedly died from an electric shock, as per RugbyPass.

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All these tragic events left Makazole Mapimpi with no family members, with his teammates and friends being the only family he recognised during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Erasmus on Mapimpi's family tragedy

In the viral video posted by Hellenix78 on Instagram, Erasmus was seen crying while sharing what happened when Mapimpi was asked to provide pictures of his family, just like the other players invited to represent the Springboks at the 2019 World Cup.

The pictures were meant to be integrated into flocked numbers on the back of their jerseys, but in Mapimpi's case, he could only provide a picture of himself. Erasmus asked him why, and Mapimpi claimed he had nobody left and had just lost his brother.

"Do you know the story about the jerseys? on the back of your numbers, you had to have family members you know, you can give in photos of family members," Erasmus said while shedding tears.

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"He only had photos of himself. Because he didn't have anybody else. and I said 'why are you doing this?' and he says, he's got nobody, his brother died. You know his mum died. His father he doesn't have a photo.

"So, he doesn't play for one thing. He's just got a massive heart."

Mapimpi is now married to Sasha de Souza, and they have a baby. The Springboks' number 11 recently made history in Gqeberha during SA's test game against Italy.

Reactions as Erasmus shared Mapimpi's family tragedy

albertsprojects1 said:

"He has 63 million brothers and sisters ❤️❤️❤️❤️."

b.puna2018 reacted:

"Rassie is a big part of why the Boks are at the top of world rugby great man great coach I bet you his players would run through brick walls for him much respect Brother from an All Blacks fan 👏❤️"

kerrykinnearbennett wrote:

"Mapimpi is my GOAT. Where he came from, he started professional rugby much later than all the others and he is a F ing legend! He is power, he is humble and he is OURS. We love you ❤️"

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queenofprefab shared:

"And now we are all crying. How can we give our photos to support? We are all his rugby family. ❤️"

monalego added:

"I know this video… I could never bring myself to see Rassie like that… I kind of listen with the screen covered by comments 😢 It bring me to tears seeing a man with so much heart, so much love like this 👏👏👏 Rassie is a man and half!!!"

gdp0007 commented:

"I just had to goggle why he didn’t have pictures, such a traumatic life, stories like this make you grateful for what you have 😢"

enver_ebr respoonded:

"❤️ This man is the reason why the Springboks are back to World Champions - humanity at its best. South Africa owes Rassie a great deal of gratitude and not only because of the rugby. I simply love this guy 👊🏼💯❤️"

Mapimpi's wife shares picture of post-baby body

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Briefly News also reported that Mapimpi's wife, Swazi, caused a stir on social media after sharing picture of her post-baby body on her Instagram stories.

The influencer posted the picture her body after giving birth to the couple's first child.

Source: Briefly News