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Cape Town - Star Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi hopes his Rugby World Cup heroics can inspire youth in his home Eastern Cape province.
WATCH | Mapimpi drops F-bomb on live TV!
Mapimpi made history when he became the first Springbok to score a try in a World Cup final, helping his side to a third Webb Ellis Cup with their 32-12 triumph over England in Yokohama.
The 29-year-old has now boasts an impressive 14 tries in as many Tests.
While addressing reporters at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Mapimpi said he felt blessed to have been part of a World Cup-winning team.
"There are young boys who saw what happened. I also couldn't believe that I would make it in the Springbok team and World Cup, but it was a blessing," he said.
Mapimpi's six tries at the World Cup was second only to Welshman Josh Adams who scored seven.
He added that it took some time for the World Cup win to sink in.
"I wasn't thinking about the World Cup in 2015. I was playing for Border at that stage. I watched the tournament from my home in the Eastern Cape and admired players like Bryan Habana. I never thought the day would come where I would be standing here, let alone wearing this medal," he said.
"This means so much to me as someone coming from the rural area in the Eastern Cape. I didn't play Craven Week or SA Schools. Fortunately I had people who pushed me and suggested that I could be more."
MOST TRIES AT RWC 2019
TRIES
1. Josh Adams (Wales) - 7
2. Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa) - 6
3. Kotaro Matsushima (Japan) - 5
T4. Ben Smith (New Zealand) - 4
T4. Julian Montoya (Argentina) - 4
T4. Kenki Fukuoka (Japan) - 4
