SEE: Mapimpi revives Mandela’s iconic Yankee look with bold fashion twist

by Sergio Miller

It is safe to say that Springbok and Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi has been handed the mantle of being the king of fashion in South Africa. 

Gone are the days when simple sweatpants and a hoodie used to be the go-to option when running errands; the new breed of professional athletes is innovating the game, not just on the rugby field, but also on the street. 

The double World Cup winner recently earned thousands of nods from the internet community when he took to Instagram to share his spin on the iconic Nelson Mandela New York Yankee look. 

The late former president visited the iconic American baseball team in 1990, just four months after being released from prison. 

During his attendance at one of their games, he addressed a crowd containing thousands of spectators donning the famous New York Yankee cap and jacket. 

In addressing the crowd at the time, he said: “You know who I am. I am a Yankee.” 

According to the American news broadcaster CNN, this earned him a place in the club’s history with a plaque inside Monument Park, a museum that normally only recognises former team greats, which is now dedicated to him. 

While Makazole may not have had a Yankee jacket to show off, the speedster who earned himself a place in South African history as the first Springbok to score a try in a World Cup final, gladly dripped himself in something similar. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Makazole Mapimpi (@makazoli)

Taking to the comment section, many approved. 

“Mandela fit going hard,” wrote one person, while another added, “This reminds me of that one Nelson Mandela fit”. 

This past weekend, Makazole broke former winger JP Petersen’s record as the Sharks’ leading try scorer in international competitions. 

Also see: Makazole Mapimpi ‘Get Ready’ reels leaves Lorna Maseko drooling