Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira (born 1 August 1985 in Harare, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. Mtawarira, a prop, is fondly known by friends and fans as "The Beast". Roars of "Beast" are shouted by spectators and fans of the Natal Sharks team whenever Mtawarira attains possession of the ball or makes a big tackle. Mtawarira was selected as part of the South African National Rugby Union team and made his debut playing against Wales in a test match on the 14th of June 2008. The following week, on the 21st of June 2008, Mtawarira scored a try against Italy as well as winning the 'Man of the Match' award.
He attended Peterhouse Group of Boarding Schools in Marondera in Zimbabwe, along with Stormers and recently capped Springbok player Brian Mujati. Notably, despite living in South Africa and representing the country internationally, Mtawarira remains a Zimbabwean national; he qualified for South Africa by three years' residency, as allowed under International Rugby Board rules.
Mtawarira attended Churchill Boys High School for 5 years before being given a full scholarship to Peterhouse. At the age of 15, while at Churchill, he was spotted by legendary Zimbabwean Coach Joey Muwadzuri who invited him to join the Under 19 side at the National Schools Festival. Later that year Coach Joey invited him to be part of Cats and Dogs Rugby Academy Team that won the National Seniors 7's tournament. He played with Stars Dan Hondo,Pete Benade,Tonderai "Kawaza" Chavhanga, among many others. Despite his young age he used his strength and will to learn to tread with the bigger boys. He also represented Zimbabwe in the under 19 age group.
After a fantastic 2008 Super 14 season with the Sharks it was apparent that he had fantastic potential and his speed would be beneficial with the new rules (ELV's).
He was then selected in the Springbok squad and at first received limited game time. Later on he had the opportunity to be a reserve during the test against the Wallabies in Perth. Once he came on his impact was significant and had two long distance runs with the ball. He went on to be a part of the starting lineup in all the subsequent Tri-nations tests.
The highlight of Mtawarira's career to date came in the first test of the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2009. Scrumming against Phil Vickery, Mtawarira dominated his more experienced opponent, leading to Vickery being substituted after 45 minutes, and a man-of-the-match award for Mtawarira[3]. However, he conceded several penalties in the second test when playing opposite Welsh prop Adam Jones. Similarly, in the third test, Mtawarira was largely ineffectual in the scrum, with the returning Vickery, and replacement John Hayes, subduing him up front.
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