Tendai Mtawarira Biography

Following a career that yielded 117 caps, Tendai Mtawarira, the most capped prop in Springbok history, retired from international rugby after helping the team win the record-equaling World Cup title in 2019.

Zimbabwe-born Mtawarira, affectionately known as Beast, survived a spirited effort earlier in his career to block him from playing for the Springboks because he was not a South African citizen.

When Tendai Mtawarira retired, he was a popular figure around the rugby world, but his future as a Springbok almost derailed ten years ago after it emerged he did not have a residency permit.

After an application was lodged for citizenship by the SA Rugby Union (Saru), helped by spirited lobbying efforts from renowned personalities such as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mtawarira was finally granted citizenship in June 2010. And thus one of the darlings of South African rugby fulfilled a lifelong dream of wearing the green and gold. 

The much-loved prop was born in Harare on 8 January 1985 and his journey to rugby greatness was a humbling one, having to use a donated bicycle to get to training.

Tendai Mtawaria was awarded a scholarship to attend Peterhouse Boys School at the age of 15. Beast travelled from Zimbabwe to South Africa as an 18-year-old fresh out of school with the dream of changing his life around. 

His journey to the top as one of the all-time rugby greats was buoyed by his fierce determination and hunger to achieve success. 

He played Currie Cup and Super Rugby for the Sharks, making his debut in 2007, and also turned out for the Barbarians. 

He made his Test debut for South Africa in June 2008, with a victory over Wales at Pretoria. Tendai Mtawarira, at 34 years old, was in the Barbarian side beaten 33-31 by Fiji at Twickenham in 2019 and he made his final appearance for the most famous club team in the world against Brazil in Sao Paolo packing down alongside Rory Best of Ireland.

The burly prop is infamous for instigating the Springboks' victory over the British & Irish Lions in the first Test of 2009, forcing opponent Phil Vickery to be substituted early after being dominated in the scrum. 

Early in 2020 Beast signed with Major League Rugby club Old Glory, based in Washington, but within three months he was on his way home, due to the Covid pandemic.

After rugby Tendai Mtawarira became a businessman with several prospects and is passionate about motivational speaking; an avenue to inspire future generations. He was named in the Forbes Africa 2021 list of 100 most influential Africans.