Springbok star Makazole Mapimpi has turned down a move to Leicester Tigers in favour of a big-money move.
Instead, the speedster is one of several South Africans heading to Japan to join Johan Ackermann’s NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes for the upcoming season.
The 29-year-old was part of Rassie Erasmus’ 2019 World Cup-winning squad and scored a try in the Final against England.
The speedster made his test debut for the Springboks on 2 June 2018 against Wales in Washington, D.C. at the age of 27 years and has since accumulated 14 caps, scoring 14 tries.
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4 Big-Money Signings Who Flopped at Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers have welcomed more false dawns than most clubs in recent – as highlighted by their misfortune in the transfer market when it comes to exciting signings that ultimately proved disappointing.
We’ve gone from the inception of the Premiership in 1997/98 because, as you all know, that’s when club rugby ‘started’.
1. JP Pietersen
World Cup winner with South Africa in 2007, Pietersen signed a three-year deal to join Premiership giants prior to the 2016–2017 season. However, the winger was granted early release to join top French club Toulon in the Top 14 from the 2017-18 season. He scored three tries in 15 appearances during his underwhelming one-year stint at Welford Road. Worth the huge salary? Absolutely not.
2. Christian Loamanu
The highly rated Japanese international arrived in 2014 after stints with Treviso and Toulon. The versatile back, who'd be banned for life in Japan for testing positive for marijuana, was poor in his two years at the club, making just seven appearances. Failed to live up to expectation.
3. Matt Toomua
Ultimately, did he make the difference that the club wanted? You'd have to say no. It started awfully for him, being sin-binned for a spear tackle in his first game before suffering a serious knee injury, which ruled him out for six months, in his second.The Aussie dazzled at time during his three-year stint but was limited to just 45 appearances. Didn't deliver regularly enough.
4. Dan Lyle
The Bath and USA legend made the rare switch from the Rec to Welford Road in 2003. However, after just three appearances, the 6ft 5in back-row-forward quit the club after being given a ‘great opportunity’ in America. A waste of time.
