Tribute to centurion Beast
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tendai Mtawarira will make his 100th Test appearance for South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday – in the second Test of the three-match June series against England.
He will become only the sixth Springbok to reach this special milestone.
The 32-year-old Mtawarira, affectionately known as ‘Beast’, is the first Springbok prop to reach a century of Test caps and he joins an elite group of only seven props who have made 100 or more Test appearances.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus, also SA Rugby Union Director of Rugby, paid tribute to Mtawarira – whom he described as a great servant to Springbok rugby and a very good professional.
“Much like a typical front row forward, Beast is not someone who likes the spotlight,” Erasmus said.
“However, his contribution to Springbok rugby during the past decade has been enormous and I want to congratulate him on reaching 100 Test caps for South Africa.
“It is a special achievement and while he deserves the accolades, I know he will be totally focussed on the most important job, and that is to face an extremely determined England side on Saturday in Bloem.”
Mtawarira made his Springbok debut exactly 10 years ago against Wales, on 14 June 2008 in Pretoria, at the age of 22.
The following year he was an instrumental figure in the Springbok tight five as he helped to steer the South Africans to a memorable 2-1 series win over the British & Irish Lions.
Since then, the soft-spoken front row forward has established himself as a mainstay for the Sharks – he has 146 Super Rugby caps to his name – and the Springboks.
Apart from his 99 Tests, Mtawarira has also played in three tour matches for the Springboks to date, with two Test tries to his name.
Mtawarira will anchor the Springbok scrum in his milestone Test, alongside hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe – who makes a return to the front row after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Malherbe’s inclusion is one of only two changes in the starting team that beat England 42-39 last weekend in Johannesburg.
He replaces his Stormers teammate Wilco Louw.
The other change sees Pieter-Steph du Toit returning to the starting fifteen in the No.7 jersey, with Jean-Luc du Preez moving to the bench.
Erasmus added that an improved performance will be needed from the Springboks when the two sides meet again at the Toyota Stadium.
“England is a powerful side and I know Eddie Jones will have his team super prepared for Saturday,” said Erasmus.
“They will no doubt want to bounce back to level the series, so it’s going to be another huge Test of our resolve and character.”
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Rudolph Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Warrick Gelant.
Date: Saturday, June 16
Venue: Free State stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.00 (16.00 UK time; 15.00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
