Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira Biography| Age, Career, Personal Life, Controversies
Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-South African former professional rugby union player who concluded his career at Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby.
Throughout his illustrious journey, he represented both the South Africa national team and the Sharks in Super Rugby.
Age & Date of Birth
Tendai Mtawarira was born on August 1, 1985, in Harare, Zimbabwe. He is currently 37 years old.
Personal Life
Tendai Mtawarira is to married to Kuziva Makore for a decade this year. They have two children together, a daughter and a son.
Education
Mtawarira attended Churchill School in Harare for five years before receiving a full scholarship to Peterhouse Boys’ School, an independent school in Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe.
At the age of 15, he was spotted by coach Joey Muwadzuri, who invited him to join the Under 19 side at the National Schools Festival.
Career
Mtawarira is a retired professional rugby union player of Zimbabwean-South African descent. He played as a prop for the South Africa national team and the Sharks in Super Rugby.
Mtawarira qualified to play for South Africa on residency grounds and later acquired South African citizenship. He is widely recognized for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport.
Mtawarira made his debut for the South Africa national team against Wales on June 14, 2008.
With an impressive career spanning over a decade, he holds the record for being the most capped prop in South African history, with 117 caps. He is also the third most capped Springbok of all time, following Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana.
In addition to his international achievements, Mtawarira was a key player in the Sharks team in Super Rugby. He holds the record for the most Super Rugby caps by a South African, with 160 caps.
Off the field, Mtawarira is involved in various ventures. He owns a security company in South Africa and is the founder of a community-based organization called The Beast Foundation.
Controversies
Citizenship
Mtawarira’s Zimbabwean nationality caused some issues regarding his eligibility to play for South Africa.
South Africa has a policy of only allowing its nationals to represent the country.
However, he was officially cleared to play for the Springboks after receiving clearance from the South African Rugby Union and the country’s sports minister.
Mtawarira told the Sunday Independent,
I am a South African at heart. I love this country. It has become my home. It is everything to me. Wearing the green and gold of the Springboks is a huge honour for me. That jersey is part of me. The green and gold flows in my blood. I feel just as much pride as any other guy in the team.
