Tendai Mtawarira facts for kids
Mtawarira in 2008
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Tendai Mtawarira | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 August 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Harare, Zimbabwe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 120 kg (260 lb; 18 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Churchill School Peterhouse Boys' School |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Rugby union player | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tendai Mtawarira (born August 1, 1985) is a famous retired rugby union player. He played for the South Africa national team, known as the Springboks. He also played for the Sharks in Super Rugby and later for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby.
Tendai was born in Zimbabwe and later became a South African citizen. He plays as a prop and is famously known by his nickname, Beast.
He first played for South Africa against Wales on June 14, 2008. With 117 matches played for his country, he is the most experienced prop in South African history. He is also the fourth most capped Springbok player ever. Tendai Mtawarira is a 2019 Rugby World Cup winner.
Today, he owns a security company in South Africa. He also runs a community group called The Beast Foundation.
Contents
Early Life and Rugby Start
Tendai Mtawarira was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, on August 1, 1985. He went to Churchill School in Harare for five years. After that, he received a full scholarship to Peterhouse Boys' School. This is an independent school in Mashonaland East.
When he was 15, a Zimbabwean coach named Joey Muwadzuri noticed him. Joey invited Tendai to join the Under 19 team. This was for the National Schools Festival. Later that year, Tendai joined the Cats and Dogs Rugby Academy Team. This team won the National Seniors 7's tournament.
Tendai Mtawarira's Rugby Career
After a strong 2008 Super 14 season with the Sharks, Tendai showed great potential. His speed was very helpful with the new rugby rules. Because of this, he was chosen for the Springbok squad.
Making His Springbok Debut
Tendai made his first appearance for the Springboks on June 14, 2008. This match was against Wales. At first, he did not play much. Later, he got a chance to be a reserve player against the Wallabies in Perth. When he came onto the field, he made a big impact. He then became a starting player for all the next Tri-nations matches.
Key Matches and Achievements
A big moment in Tendai's career was in 2009. This was during the first match of the British & Irish Lions tour. He played against Phil Vickery and completely dominated him. Vickery was taken out of the game after 45 minutes. Tendai was named man-of-the-match for his amazing performance.
On June 16, 2018, Tendai Mtawarira played his 100th test match. This was against England. He was later a substitute player for a match against Australia. In October 2018, he got a neck injury against New Zealand. This meant he missed the Springboks' tour to Europe that year.
Winning the Rugby World Cup
Tendai Mtawarira was part of South Africa's team for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. South Africa went on to win the tournament. They beat England in the final match. Tendai's scrummaging in the final was very powerful. South Africa won many penalties because of his strong play.
Tendai also holds a record in Super Rugby. He has played 160 matches, which is the most by any South African player.
Images for kids
-
Mtawarira in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Tendai Mtawarira para niños
