World Cup-winning Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi will make his debut for the NTT Red Hurricanes in the Japanese Top League this coming weekend.

Mapimpi had been granted permission to join NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan from September 2020 to April 2021 after he signed a long-term contract extension with the Sharks until 2023.

The 30-year-old played a pre-season game for his new team in November, but missed the opening two rounds of the premier Japanese tournament, which kicked off on 20 February. He has now been included the Hurricanes starting lineup for their upcoming clash with the Ricoh Black Rams on Saturday.

Mapimpi will play alongside compatriots Franco Marais and Lourens Erasmus as well as All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara for the Hurricanes.

Watch: Mapimpi debuts for Red Hurricanes

Photo: Red Hurricanes