Tendai the beast mtawarira tackle

The Zimbabwean-born Mtawarira joined up with the Sharks after school where he was trialled at lock, flank, and even at hooker before Sharks coach Dick Muir eventually convinced him to concentrate on loosehead prop.

In November 2009, it ordered the immediate axing of the Zimbabwean prop until proper documentation was obtained. Having made the squad to go to Japan for the 2019 RWC the Beast was unmovable and was instrumental in the Springboks 3rd World Cup win.

He retired from international rugby after the tournament. He would say: ‘I have to work harder and I will be back in it’.”

Former Zimbabwe captain Denford Mutamangira was on the same school team as Mtawarira in Harare.

After an application was lodged for citizenship by the SA Rugby Union (Saru), helped by spirited lobbying efforts from renowned personalities such as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mtawarira was finally granted citizenship in June 2010. So many people came out to cheer the moment, that’s when I realised that this thing has just really impacted the entire country.

“I feel that the other World Cups would have been special, but I feel this one, particularly at this point in time, has been pretty special especially with how the team achieved it.”

‘Really grateful’

Following a career that yielded 117 caps, the most capped prop in Springbok history retired from international rugby after helping the team win the record-equaling World Cup title.

A popular figure around the rugby world, Mtawarira’s retirement was met with sadness among his legion of fans, who posted touching farewell messages on different social media platforms.

But 10 years ago, his future as a Springbok was thrown into doubt after it emerged he did not have a residency permit.

Mtawarira qualified to play for South Africa in line with the eligibility rules of rugby’s world governing body, which gave him the green light based on residency criteria.

But the South African government ruled that fielding a foreigner violated the laws of the country.

At the time he was just 1 of 4 props to start 100 test matches.

Following his international retirement, he announced his departure from the Sharks having made his Currie Cup debut in 2006 and Super Rugby debut in 2007.

In his 117 games for the Springboks he walked away with the following titles:

Rugby World Cup
Rugby Championship
Tri Nations
British & Irish Lions Tour

Career

The racial diversity of the South Africa rugby squad that won the 2019 World Cup meant the latest triumph has done more than the previous two titles to unite the once bitterly-divided country, member of the winning squad Tendai Mtawarira has said.

Zimbabwe-born Mtawarira (affectionately known as Beast) survived a spirited effort earlier in his career to block him from playing for the Springboks because he was not a South African citizen.

The Springboks defeated England 32-12 in the final on November 2 in Japan and Mtawarira, 34, said being world champions under his adopted country’s first black rugby captain felt “pretty special”.

“I think winning the [2019] World Cup was really special, especially with Siya as a black captain,” Mtawarira told Al Jazeera.

“It brought the country together.

The way he was so pumped up when the Boks scored, or won a scrum [in the World Cup final], that’s Beast for you.

“He is a humble, down-to-earth individual who always tries to make a difference in other people’s lives.

“It was a massive undertaking to invest in creating coding hubs, where young kids, after school, would be taught how to code.

It’s ridiculous how much he works, behind the scenes, his private workouts. I wasn’t well-resourced. And the possibility of not playing for the Springboks after the citizenship saga is one thing that took a toll on me.

“If it wasn’t for a few people, especially Desmond Tutu, who came to my aid and helped me get my citizenship, I wouldn’t be here.

For real.

The Old Glory deal was brokered by a sports marketing company, Kyros Sports, co-owned by Mtawarira and his US-based Zimbabwean childhood friend Kisset Chirengende.

Chirengende played rugby for the Bradford & Bingley club in the lower divisions of the English rugby union system.

In 2007 he made his Super Rugby debut at 21 when he came off the bench in the final at Kings Park.

Known for his immense physicality, the popular Mtawarira’s nickname of “Beast” can be heard called out by any crowd in South Africa and around the world whenever he touches the ball.

“I’m also looking at mentoring them.

“Beast hasn’t changed that much,” Mutamangira recalls. A move that would see Mtawarira become of one the greatest front rowers in Springbok history. That’s one thing that makes or breaks players trying to get to the top.”

Mtawarira started his training on a donated bicycle and said he did not have a lot of clothes.

“It was really hard for me coming from Zimbabwe.

“It’s something I dreamt would happen when I was a youngster, but it’s still surreal that it actually happened.

“To get to 50 caps was such a huge honour, let alone 117.