The Cheetahs tackle the Southern Kings on Saturday in the return-leg of their Guinness Pro14 derby, the very same team Mapimpi left to head to Bloemfontein.

During the Currie Cup the strong winger scored six tries in the Currie Cup and is also the leading try scorer in the Guinness Pro14 with nine tries to his name.

Speaking to OFM Sport, the quiet speedster simply described his time at the Cheetahs as lekker.

“From my side it was lekker here in the Free State, I enjoyed my time, I enjoyed everything here.”

Many believe that Mapimpi should have at least been on the Springboks' end-of-year-tour in 2017, however, Mapimpi, tried to evade talking about playing in the green-and-gold.

“Eish, I don’t really want to talk about that but I am disappointed as well.

“I think I’ll just have to put in more hard work to be there to play for the Springboks.”

Mapimpi concluded by saying that his man of the match performance against the Italian outfit, Zebre, in round three in Bloemfontein was the highlight of his short stay at the Cheetahs.

“My favourite memory was from when we played against Zebre.

“That time I was the man of the match, my two tries in that game was the best day for me.”

The Cheetahs' coach, Rory Duncan, will be naming his side for the derby on Friday, while his Kings counterpart, Deon Davids, could name his team to travel to the Free State as soon as Thursday.

The Cheetahs' derby against the Southern Kings at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:00 on Saturday.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport