Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira will make history on Friday night becoming the highest capped South African in Super rugby history.
Mtawarira, affectionately known to fans as ‘Beast’, is set to break Adriaan Strauss’s record of 157 caps when the Sharks clash with the Lions in Johannesburg.
The Zimbabwean born prop has been a great servant to the Cell C Sharks, currently playing his 13th season for the Durban based franchise. A feat not many players have the privilege of achieving.
‘It’s actually mindboggling to realise I’ve played so many games,” said the reminiscing Mtawarira
Beast, who won the hearts of fans worldwide with his powerful scrummaging, particularly in the Springboks 2009 series victory against The British and Irish Lions, admits that the record itself was never a concern of his.
‘I never thought about the record (157 games). I never thought about achieving milestones in my career, I was always committed to just improving all the time,’ said Mtawarira to the media on Wednesday.
The Springbok’s commitment to The Sharks brand and love for the game further increased his popularity as he quickly became a household name nationwide.
‘Every opportunity I got to put on the jersey was an opportunity to play my heart out. I’ve always focused on enjoying every single game and every moment that I got to play this wonderful game.’
As displayed through the lengthy career of Mtawarira, he was quick to express gratitude and share the moment with those who made it possible, in what has been a career filled with humility.
‘It’s been an amazing ride, I’ve had great mentors – coaches and team-mates – who have really pushed me. They inspired me to be better, to work hard and never rest on my laurels.’
