Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira is now a naturalised South African after being granted South African citizenship. This means that the man who annihilated Phil Vickery in the British and Irish Lions Series is back in contention for Springbok selection.
“This is very gratifying news indeed and thanks to much hard work that has been going on behind the scenes over the past few months,” said Mr Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union.
“I’d like to personally thank Minister Dlamini-Zuma for her intervention to assist in this matter. It had long been the Beast’s desire to become naturalised and he has had to endure some difficult times in recent months. He is now eligible for selection should he fit into the plans of the coach and national selectors.”
The Beast’s availability brings a welcome conundrum for Peter de Villiers and he stands a good chance of making the squad for the Tri Nations series. Gurthro Steenkamp will probably keep the No.1 jumper as he has been the form loosehead in South Africa this season.
Knowing that there is real competition in the form of the Beast will bring out the best in Steenkamp and this is a great scenario for the Springboks.
The Springbok squad for the away-leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations will be named by Mr Hoskins and Springbok head coach Peter de Villiers on Saturday evening. It will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1.
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