'I am done with the Sharks' - 'Beast' Mtawarira considering overseas offers

Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira has confirmed he is considering offers to continue his remarkable rugby career outside South Africa, but admits it would be difficult to uproot his family and leave Durban.

The World Cup winning Springbok prop was in the Barbarians side beaten 33-31 by Fiji at Twickenham and will make his final appearance for the most famous club team in the world when they play Brazil in Sao Paolo on Wednesday when he will pack down again alongside Rory Best, the retiring former Ireland captain.

Mtawarira will then fly back to South Africa to discuss his playing options, although the chance to concentrate his efforts on his security business is high on his agenda.

Mtawarira, who dropped the ball over the line ruling out a crucial second-half score, said: “I am done with the Sharks and I am still looking at options at the moment and will make a decision quite soon. The fact is I am involved in a really good business back at home in security and I am one of the directors and it has always been my pathway after rugby. Now, I am weighing options; uprooting my family and coming overseas to play or getting involved in the company straight away in Durban.

“After Brazil I am going to sit back and just reminisce on my career and what has happened. It was everything I wanted to achieve at a World Cup and I will have time with my family to reflect on the fact we are World champions. We did it.”

Mtawarira flew directly from the Springboks five-day bus tour of South Africa celebrating their win over England in the final in Japan to be coached by Eddie Jones, who used the Barbarians game to help ease the pain of that defeat in Yokohama.

Mtawarira,34, said: “It wasn’t too difficult to play after the bus tour because I love playing for the Baabaas, even though it was pretty hectic at home with all the World Cup celebrations. It was great to spend the week getting to know the guys like Rory Best and it was sad that we missed out on winning the game. It is still a great experience.

“There was about five days going from city to city on the bus tour and we didn’t get much sleep celebrating and partying. We all had a great time and it was amazing to see the masses of people who came out to enjoy what we achieved in Japan was incredible and is something that will be remembered by all South Africans forever.

“We didn’t think it was going to be that big when we got home but from the moment we landed at the airport there were people everywhere wearing Springbok jerseys. There were lots of police and we got out of the airport safely and just enjoyed the moment.”

The more than 50,000 fans at Twickenham for Mtawarira’s final appearance at the stadium took up the now-famous chant of “beast” whenever he got the ball and the 117 cap Springbok appreciates the support he receives all over the world. “It is humbling and the chant has been a part of my whole career,” he added. “It gives me the Goosebumps and reminds me where I have come from. It is something I am going to miss and it is people showing me love.

“It started when I made my debut in 2007 for the Sharks and it was my mates in the club’s academy that started screaming beast and it spread like wildfire."

Training ramps up a gear as the team hits the gym to complete their final phase of strength work, while the leadership group provides critical analysis of the recent victory against Auckland Grammar.