VIDEO: Mtawarira to go into Beast mode at World Cup
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Springboks and Sharks prop Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira believes that winning the World Cup would eclipse everything he has achieved in his glittering career so far.
Mtawarira currently holds the record for the most appearances by a South African in the Super Rugby tournament and with more than 100 Test-caps, a Tri-nations title (now Rugby Championship) and a British and Irish Lions series victory to his name and a veteran of two Rugby World Cups (2011,2015) he is ready to put his body on the line for the Springboks in the hope of achieving his ultimate goal.
“I’m super excited and I have been thinking about it for the last four years. It is the big occasion this year and I think it is all about giving my mind and body to the Springboks and really showing up for every single game,” Mtawarira told reporters at the team hotel in Johannesburg.
“For me winning the World Cup is everything. I think being part of a successful World Cup team is everything and right now that’s all I’m thinking about.
“I need to work harder than ever to put in great performances and really contribute to the success of this team going forward.”
Mtawarira has been out of action since suffering a knee injury against the Waratahs in a Super Rugby round-robin match in April and the 33-year-old explained that he has recovered from his injury and he is raring to run out onto the field on Saturday.
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“I feel great. I’ve had a lot of time to recover from it, so I feel really fresh.
“These last couple of weeks have been really great to be put through our paces and really feel fitter and stronger.
“I’m in a great position to go out there and do the job,” explained Mtawarira.
Mtawarira added that he has been impressed with the attitude on and off the field of prop Lizo Gqoboka who is one of the new players yet to be capped in the Bok squad.
“I think Lizo has been a sensation.
“I speak very highly of him because he is such a nice guy, one of the most humble guys I’ve ever met. He is always willing to learn and I think he is playing great week in and week out and really deserves his chance.
“I think he is going to relish the opportunity comes to put on the green and gold jersey,” commented Mtawarira.
