The Star Late Edition

Beast weighs in a ton

Humble Mtawarira’s big voice to echo throughout history as prop stands on the brink of major milestone

- JACQUES VAN DER WESTHUYZEN player,

There are few men more deserving of plaudits and accolades, and thus it is unsurprisi­ng that even Saturday’s opposition England are quick to sing Mtawarira’s paises.

England scrum coach Neil Hatley commented on his durability as a prop, reaching such a milestone, and also mentioned the fact that he is a one-club man.

“He has been phenomenal for South Africa and for the Sharks. He has been in Durban since he arrived in the country from Zimbabwe, he is a one-club man, he has done an unbelievab­le job,” Hatley said from England’s base in Durban.

“One hundred Test matches coming up, in an attritiona­l position like the one he plays, is testament to his durability. Hopefully we will be able to disappoint him on such an amazing occasion for him!” Hatley quipped.

England’s own loosehead Mako Vunipola reached the 50-Test mark in Johannesbu­rg last weekend and Hateley drew comparison­s to the welling of pride their player felt at reaching just half of Mtawarira’s milestone.

“I think it is an outstandin­g occasion. We had Mako winning his 50th, and we know how special that is for a player. You can see how much that meant to Mako, so 100 caps is something that really needs to be applauded.”

SPRINGBOK assistant coach Matt Proudfoot has joined the chorus of voices singing the praises of veteran Bok prop Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira who is in line to make his 100th Test appearance against England here on Saturday.

Proudfoot, who is in his third year as Bok forwards coach, said Mtawarira’s profession­alism was the reason why he had been able to get into the Bok team 10 years ago and stay there, making the No 1 jersey his own.

“He’s a profession­al, he takes care of his body, he works hard, he’s got a very good physique, and he takes care of it,” said Proudfoot in summing up the Zimbabwe-born loosehead prop.

He continued: “He’s humble, he’s prepared to learn, he’s been able to ride out the ups and downs during his career, and he takes on the chin when he has been beaten.

“Loosehead prop is a position where you win one (scrum) and you lose one.

“Beast is a confident but he’s also humble.”

If picked for Saturday’s second Test against England here, which head coach Rassie Erasmus said he would be, the 32-year-old will join an exclusive club of South Africans to have reached 100 Tests, which includes Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, John Smit, Jean de Villiers and Percy Montgomery.

Bok boss Erasmus said it was almost unbelievab­le to think that someone could play 100 Test matches for their country.

“It’s great (for Beast) ... how many people can say they achieved that? I played 39 Tests and it felt a lot ... 100 is phenomenal.

“To think he started out at lock, then flank and to consolidat­e at prop, and to get to 100. He should be proud of himself and we can be too.”

Mtawarira made his debut in 2008 and has been part of the Bok squad every year since.

“It’s a fantastic achievemen­t for a very good man,” continued Proudfoot.

“I would love to see the statistics of how many games he’s started and how many he’s come off the bench ... I know a high percentage of the games were starts. It’s incredible; his longevity, with all the competitio­n around and the demands of the position ... it’s something to savour.

“I would now like to see our pack respond (this weekend), to make it a special one for him,” said the Bok forwards coach. very good, he does a lot of homework, he is similar to (England head coach) Eddie Jones in that sort of vein,” Hatley said.

“Now he has potentiall­y a lot of insight with Schalk Brits in the squad, on those who he plays with at his club Saracens and a lot of players that play in the league.

“If you are South African,

The media-shy and softly-spoken Mtawarira has chosen to not speak to the media this week, insisting he would prefer to focus on the Test on Saturday. But Proudfoot said the Sharks man was hardly a withdrawn figure in the Bok pack.

“Beast is a big voice in the pack, that is why he is so important to us,” said Proudfoot.

“Just look at the Sharks a n d what h e h a s me a n t for a guy like Thomas du Toit, who is now starting at tighthead prop. A front row is always about the combin- you have an unbelievab­le return from Duane Vermeulen and Faf de Klerk; it makes sense to bring in somebody… albeit three or four weeks after his retirement, to bring him straight in.

Brits was phenomenal right to the end for Saracens, and the English know what he can offer, and thus now know what he can do against them should players or so.”

“It’s amazing that we used 28 players, a lot of youngsters got their opportunit­ies.”

Next month in the USA, San Francisco hosts the Rugby World Cup Sevens, an event Powell hasn’t given much thought to.

“We’ll sit down with the medical staff and see who can be available for us for the World Cup. But the squad will probably consist of the guys that made up the squad, one or two Fifteens guys that played Sevens in the past, academy players and guys returning from injury.” ation, and in our environmen­t here (at the Boks) we’ve had some young guys, like Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, coming through last year, and he gave solidity to the pack. “Beast is a big cornerston­e of what this team is about.” Mtawarira is likely to have hooker Bongi Mbonambi next to him this Saturday, but there could be a new man wearing the No 3 on his back. Last weekend’s first choice tighthead, Louw, could sit out to make way for Du Toit or Erasmus could surprise by naming Frans Malherbe in the starting team. The Boks will enjoy a rest day from training today, with the coach scheduled to name his team tomorrow. he get some game time in the remaining two Tests.

“Those guys that watch the Premiershi­p know he is a special player; he is not just a good set-piece forward, he is good around the park, he has great feet, good defender, and brings a lot of life to the team,” Hatley added.

“I saw some of the report saying it is a stroke of genius.”

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa