Sharks mentor Powell unclear on why Mapimpi was suspended, but will brave cold London weather

Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell said the footage they reviewed of Makazole Mapimpi's alleged contact to the eye in the Bordeaux game didn't give them any clarity of whether he was right or wrong.

That said, the Springbok wing will miss Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup encounter against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop (15:00 SA time) for "making contact with the eye or eye area" of Union Bordeaux-Begles scrumhalf Maxime Lucu.

Mapimpi, who has been suspended for two weeks, was cited following an on-field complaint from Lucu to referee Luke Pearce. Still, video evidence at the time showed nothing conclusive, and play continued.

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) Disciplinary Committee deemed that Mapimpi's transgression "warranted a red card" but was on the low end of World Rugby's sanction regulations.

Powell said he couldn't comment further on what transpired at Mapimpi's hearing since he wasn't there but added he would've loved to have him play in London.

Mapimpi has been replaced in the Sharks' match-day 23 by livewire outside back Thaakir Abrahams in one of five changes made by Powell.

"In terms of the footage we sent to them, there wasn't any clarity on whether he did what they said he did," Powell said.

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"I wasn't part of the hearing, so I'm unable to comment on what really happened there. Unfortunately, he's suspended for two weeks.

"We would have loved to have him for the Harlequins game because it is an important game for us. His suspension is something we have to accept because it's something that we can't control.

The Sharks saw off the Harlequins 39-31 but had to quell a fightback from the visitors, who capitalised on their