Former Bok Mapoe announces his retirement

The Vodacom Bulls have bid farewell to another Springbok in Lionel Mapoe, who announced his retirement on his facebook page on Tuesday.

Mapoe, who had two stints at the Bulls and spent most of his career at the Emirates Lions, was Springbok number 844 and made his Bok debut in 2015 against the All Blacks. 

In all, he played 15 tests for the Boks between 2015 and 2018.

Mapoe also played for the Springbok Sevens side, South Africa A and SA under-20.

Born Grenton Lionel Starlone Mapoe, the midfielder graduated from Hoërskool Fichardtpark in Bloemfontein and started playing for the Toyota Cheetahs during his youth career, representing them 18 times in his three years there.

He then moved to the Lions where he became one of the key elements in the team that Johan Ackermann built, representing them 108 times in a nine year span, and ran out 38 times for the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup and other competitions.

His first stint with the Bulls was in 2013, albeit a rather unsuccessful run where he played 12 times for the side but returned to the Lions at the end of Super Rugby.

He also had three seasons in Japan with Kubota Spears and a season in France where he played for Stade Francais and Nice before he joined the Bulls on a permanent basis.

Mapoe was part of the squad that won Super Rugby Unlocked and the Currie Cup with the Bulls and represented them 28 times in competitions but failed to secure a regular place in recent times.

He announced his retirement on Facebook with a letter to the Bulls, thanking them for his time there.

“Dear Vodacom Bulls,

“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire Bulls family for the incredible time I had during my years at the union. Winning the Currie Cup in 2021 was a special moment in my career, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing coaches, players, and staff I was fortunate to work alongside. The relationships I built during my time there will stay with me for a lifetime.

“A special thank you to Edgar and the union for your unwavering support throughout my journey. And to the loyal Vodacom Bulls fans, your passion and energy lifted us through every challenge—we could always count on you!

“I’m deeply grateful for everything the Vodacom Bulls have done for me, both on and off the field.”

Mapoe’s announcement comes days after another former Bok, Cornal Hendricks, announced he was leaving the Bulls, and would return to Boland, where his career started.

Other players to leave the Bulls in the off season after their contracts ended or they took up contracts elsewhere included veteran prop Jacques van Rooyen, hooker Tiaan Lange and former SA under-20 star Corne Beets, who joined Leicester Tigers for the coming season.