Hurrah! to Beast

TENDAI Mtawarira is the first black African to be included in the Springboks’ exclusive “100 club”, an achievement put into perspective last week by none other than Beast’s captain, Siya Kolisi.

Kolisi said in Bloemfontein that as a kid growing up in a township in the Eastern Cape, he had looked up to Beast and then added that he still inspires him to this day – that is the high regard in which Mtawarira is held by his teammates.

And what a fortnight it has been for the Springboks; the pair of trailblazers that are Kolisi and Beast; and indeed South Africa. There can be no underestimating the scale of the goodwill and hope for our country that has been produced by Kolisi, the first black African to captain the Springboks, and now Mtawarira reaching the incredible milestone of 100 Test caps for his adopted country.

And what a journey it has been for the former Zimbabwean. His first experience of South Africa was on a high school rugby tour here, and such was his impact that he was talent spotted by the Sharks. That was in 2005, and three years after his move to Durban he made his debut for the Springboks. And a decade and 99 Tests for South Africa later, the name of Tendai Mtawarira has been added to the tiny Springbok centurion club that has five other legendary members – Percy Montgomery, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers.

The durability of Mtawarira was pointed out by the England rugby captain, Owen Farrell, who highlighted his incredible loyalty to club and country – Mtawarira has played for just two teams in his career, the Sharks and the Springboks. In a professional age where many players head for pastures new as young men, Beast has stayed put, resisting tempting overseas offers to concentrate on his career in South Africa.

Mtawarira, now 32 and playing the best rugby of his career, plans to have one last hurrah for the Springboks at next year’s World Cup, injury permitting.

We wish him the best of health and thank him for his outstanding contribution to South Africa.