AUDIO: Beast - Ox reminds me a lot of myself
EXCLUSIVE: Record-break prop Tendai Mtawarira has put his money on a Springbok win in the World Cup Final.
South Africa faces New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday – 28 years after their previous meeting in a Final.
Mtawarira, with 117 Tests the Boks’ most capped prop, said he expects a ‘titanic’ battle at the Stade de France, as the two arch-rivals arm-wrestle to become the first nation to claim four titles.
“I see it going down to the wire, but I see the Boks winning – purely because of the depth we have,” the 38-year-old retired Bok said.
“I don’t think New Zealand can live with the quality of that fact.”
Mtawarira also had rich praise for the Boks’ new scrum destroyer, 28-year-old Ox Nche.
Playing mainly off the bench at France 2023, his destructive power played a key role in securing a later (16-15) win over the Boks over England last week.
“I have been really impressed with his performances,” Mtawarira told @rugby365com, adding: “He has come along in leaps and bounds.
“He reminds me a lot of myself.
“That, scrumming, is your bread and butter.
“I always used to put all my energy into that and put a marker down.
“He has done it in an impressive way.
“It is amazing to see his growth.”
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The known as Beast said he would have started with Nche to ‘lay the platform’ and disrupt the All Blacks from the outset.
“The coaches know best and I know they will use him wisely.
“I am sure he will make an impact.”
Mtawarira said the key for the Springboks is to ‘control the tempo’ of the game, with the All Blacks certain to speed up the game.
“They will come with a high-tempo, fast-paced approach and attempt to run us off our feet.
“They will want to move our big, heavy forwards all over the park.
“For us, it starts at the set piece.
“We want to control the tempo and get them on the back foot.
“We must disrupt their momentum and that ‘go forward’ ball they rely on so much.”
He said the kicking game would also be crucial to ensure the Boks win the territorial battle, along with goal-kicking.
“We must also limit our defensive errors and stop them from scoring any tries.”
Mtawarira also spoke about the rich history between the two arch-rivals, dating back to 1921.
“To face the haka is something truly special and to have done it 20 times is even more special.
“It is all about embracing the challenge and every Springbok looks forward to that encounter.
“Doing it in a World Cup Final, on an even bigger stage – with these two teams last having faced off in a Final in 1995, will be special to witness it on Saturday.”
* Meanwhile a recent fundraiser for the Beast Foundation in Paris had managed to raise in excess of 500,000 Euros.
“I was truly blown away by the response,” he added.
Mtawarira is determined to use his platform to empower and inspire others.
He has thrown himself into several charity projects.
Mtawarira is passionately about changing South Africa – and his native Zimbabwe – for the better.
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