Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok legend, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, has announced his retirement from international rugby. The 34-year-old veteran of 117 Tests confirmed his decision after a monumental performance in his final match, Saturday’s emphatic, 32-12, victory over England in the Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan.
In a trademark scrumming performance from the 115 kilogramme front ranker, the Springbok pack forced a succession of penalties from their opponents, many of them conceded by Mtawarira’s direct opponent. It crowned a storied career for the Springboks’ gentle giant.
South Africa’s national rugby team will continue to celebrate their triumph at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
This time with a five day Trophy Tour covering six cities across South Africa.
The festivities get underway in Gauteng on Thursday morning when the Springboks will travel through parts of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto, parading the Webb Ellis Cup from an open-top bus.
Much has been said over the past week about the powerful effect that the Boks’ victory in Japan has had on ordinary South Africans — a symbol of hope for the future, and a reminder of the tenacity and strength of a united Rainbow Nation.
And to that end, the world champions will take the Webb Ellis Cup to the people.
The festivities start von the south lawns of the Union Buildings at 08:30 am, with the open top bus departing an hour later.
It will travel through the city, passing by one of the home of Bulls rugby — fortress Loftus Versveld.
It will pass by Church Square, before the last stop at Tshwane House in Madiba Street in the city centre.
The Johannesburg leg starts in Braamfontein at 2 pm, before crossing the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge — and who would ever forget the first time the Springboks lifted the Cup in 1995.
It will pass through the banking district before heading towards Soweto.
It will pass the Hector Pieterson Memorial which has special significance for captain Siya Kolisi who was born on June the 16th.
The final stop, around 4pm, will be at the Orlando Stadium — naturally Pirates territory — but a venue that’s no stranger to rugby.
It played host to the 2010 Super 14 final.
Similar tours have also been planned for Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth — culminating in Cape Town on Monday the 11th.
