Cape Town - He had less than two minutes against the All Blacks, so Saturday’s first game against Ireland at Newlands will feel like a real Springbok Test debut for Lionel Mapoe.
The Lions No 13 has been in terrific form in Super Rugby, and is the joint-leading try-scorer in the competition with nine touchdowns.
With the Lions playing a wonderful brand of attacking rugby over the last few years, it has allowed Mapoe to excel with ball-in-hand.
The Port Elizabeth-born midfielder has been sensational in the way he is able to break the line by taking the outside gap in a classical manner, and he is hoping to do the same against Ireland on Saturday (5pm kickoff).
The 27-year-old came on in the 78th minute of a Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand at Ellis Park last July, but hasn’t seen any other Bok action.
“I just told myself that this is my second first start! It’s a big one – I’m pretty excited, I’m happy, and I can’t explain it at the moment. It has to sink in a bit, but I’m looking forward to Saturday. It’s not going to be easy, but hard work pays off,” Mapoe said after coach Allister Coetzee announced the team on Thursday.
“Coming through Super Rugby, I just need to build on my form. Getting into the set-up here again, I know the hard work only starts now on this new journey. So I am pretty excited.”
Bulls star Jesse Kriel started outside Damian de Allende at last year’s Rugby World Cup, but Coetzee was in no doubt that Mapoe was the man for the job this weekend, where the Boks will face a new Irish centre pair as Robbie Henshaw will move to No 13 to accommodate Luke Marshall – who will play his first Test in two years – at inside centre.
Regular midfielder Jared Payne has been shifted to fullback by Irish coach Joe Schmidt following injuries to Simon Zebo and Rob Kearney.
“Lionel Mapoe showed in Super Rugby how effective he can be at outside centre. He played well, is very physical and also has the ability to go around and through the defence,” Coetzee said.
“We are starting afresh, and I am rewarding form and Lionel has been outstanding throughout Super Rugby. This is not just a 15-man team but a 23-man squad, and I am sure Jesse will get a chance again to play with Damian de Allende.
“I’m hoping that the combination this weekend between Damian and Lionel will come off. They bring something to the team that I am really keen to see this weekend. Both of them are… We are facing a defence that will put us under pressure, and sometimes you can’t go around them – sometimes you have to go through them, and both of those players bring that to the team.
“When we need to go through them, they have that physical edge to do that. Henshaw is a big, physical player, and when we need to go around them, I’m sure Lionel has shown his pace. A lot of people underestimate how quick he is and his pace. So, I’m really happy to have him there.”
Mapoe doesn’t think it will be difficult to link up with De Allende on Saturday in what will be their first ever game together, despite the Lions centre having sat out the five-day training camp in Stellenbosch last week with a back issue.
“These last two weeks, it’s been coming along. Damian and I haven’t played together, but we found each other quite well this week as we put the structures together – on defence and attack,” Mapoe said.
“He’s been here for a while and I can learn a few things from him. He can help me with the talking on the field as well. He’s a good player and we are just looking forward to Saturday.
“The vibe in the camp has been great and you actually want to play rugby. Obviously we must get that balance right between attack and defence – if we can attack, we will, but if we must kick, we will do that.”