Close menu

Tendai Mtawarira: South Africa prop retires from internationals after World Cup

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments127

Tendai Mtawarira
Tendai Mtawarira was congratulated by Prince Harry after winning the Rugby World Cup

South Africa's World Cup-winning prop Tendai Mtawarira has announced his retirement from international rugby.

The 34-year-old, nicknamed "Beast", is South Africa's third most capped player in history, having played 117 Tests since his debut in 2008.

In the World Cup final Mtawarira helped the Boks dominate England in the scrum.

"I have many memories to cherish forever, but winning the Rugby World Cup is the perfect ending and cherry on top," he said.

Saturday's 32-12 victory over England in the final in Yokohama proved to be his last international.

"The Beast is someone who never complained, always put in the hard work and simply got on with his job in his typically unassuming way," said Mark Alexander, president of South Africa Rugby.

Mtawarira has played for the Durban-based Sharks in Super Rugby since 2007.

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

127 comments

  • Comment posted by U17884257, at 16:01 6 Nov 2019

    Not a bad way to go, World Champ! Farewell.

  • Comment posted by The Big Fat Panda, at 15:51 6 Nov 2019

    Well done to the Beast - a fantastic servant for the Boks.

  • Comment posted by steve, at 16:04 6 Nov 2019

    The Beast. Will be fondly remembered for the book ends of his career. Destroying Vickery during the Lions tour of 2009 and then destroying Dan Cole during the RWC Final. Awesome. Baie dankie Beast!

  • Comment posted by Stumped, at 15:50 6 Nov 2019

    first comment - legend

  • Comment posted by Donks, at 19:03 6 Nov 2019

    We could have done with him retiring last Friday. Very inconsiderate of him. Good luck to him.

  • Comment posted by U172022112003, at 17:12 6 Nov 2019

    A great servant to SA and my abiding memory will be of him hanging onto Etzebeth on the Argentina restart in 2016! Best wishes from an England rugby fan.

    A pity some childish morons are just using this to have a go at England and showi ng such disrespect to a tremendous player.

  • Comment posted by KickGilbert, at 17:00 6 Nov 2019

    A proper old school prop but with the ability to play the modern game. If he fancies retiring to Glos to see out a few seasons With some fellow Saffers we’ll look after him.

    Within the salary cap obviously.

  • Comment posted by ThoughtSo, at 16:05 6 Nov 2019

    Take a bow Beastie, you will definitely be missed.

  • Comment posted by Nhando, at 17:11 6 Nov 2019

    A very unassuming player, with extreme strength, huge heart and humility to boot. Not many top tier sportsmen around like that. Fambai zvakanaka Beeeast!

  • Comment posted by wizard, at 18:57 6 Nov 2019

    Always sad to see a character of the game retire, McCaw, Gregan, Johnson etc, but best of luck to him. I'm not aware of any doubtful incidents by him on the rugby field, he leaves therefore as a fine player and, what's important, a gentleman.

  • Comment posted by Juju_Malema, at 17:23 6 Nov 2019

    So much ♥️ for this man. A lot of people may not know this, but Beast’s story is a truly great immigrant’s fairy tale.

    He left Zimbabwe at 19 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional rugby player and despite hostility from a xenophobic Sports ministry and the ethnic violence ordinary Zimbabweans live in fear of in South Africa, he has risen to become a global icon.

    #Proud2knowHim

  • Comment posted by vanhunks, at 16:34 6 Nov 2019

    I shall always remember the way the crowds would scream "Beaaassstt" whenever he touched the ball. You go well, my good man. You have served South Africa well.

  • Comment posted by neilkd21, at 17:00 6 Nov 2019

    Farewell beast, an absolute Springbok legend and a model professional and role model. Thank you for your service to the sharks and Springbok over the years. 🇿🇦

  • Comment posted by RB, at 16:22 6 Nov 2019

    I’m glad he’s retiring. Won’t have to watch him play us (England) again!

    Good luck to him

  • Comment posted by oa81, at 16:16 6 Nov 2019

    Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaasssssssstttt

  • Comment posted by Paul, at 16:15 6 Nov 2019

    Walk away and job done. Destroyed the English scrum and what a servant to the Boks. A giant in every way. Well done fella. Would you mind playing for Ireland as we need a bit of help!!!

  • Comment posted by jtpet84, at 21:51 6 Nov 2019

    Two career defining performances. Against Dan Cole on Saturday and Phil Vickery on the skiing tour in 2009. Rare for a prop to define two such high profile games. Retiring with a Lions series win and a World Cup winners medal a rare achievement

  • Comment posted by sportsfan, at 16:42 6 Nov 2019

    What a man what a BEAST of a man! He destroyed Phil Vickery in 2009 and on Saturday the destroyed Cole! Look if Sinckler had played I am sure he would have received the same treatment too! So step up Steven Kitshoff you are now officially SA's No 1 loosehead prop, not a bad replacement with 45 caps to his name already! Lots of depth in the front 5 for SA future, Go well Beast and Thank You!!!!!!!

  • Comment posted by Gaz, at 10:32 7 Nov 2019

    104, Juggernaut, I agree. Having played both hooker and prop I dont recall the front row ever planning to go forward in a straight line, so that criticism could apply to any front row forward. I take exception to singling out Tendai. Last weekend the English front row were simply outmuscled by better scrummaging, so no underhand tricks, simply well and truly beaten.

  • Comment posted by Robert Gracie, at 17:19 6 Nov 2019

    Congrats Tendai, you have served South Africa so well and may we miss the crowds roar of "The Beast" at the International level!

Top Stories

Best of the 2019 World Cup

Also in Sport

Elsewhere on the BBC

Featured