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Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira will make his 100th Test appearance for South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday in the second Test against England, becoming only the sixth Springbok to reach this special milestone.
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The 32-year-old is the first Springbok prop to reach a century of Test caps and he joins an elite group of only seven props who have made 100 or more Test appearances.
Mtawarira will be alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe, who makes a return to the front row after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Malherbe replaces his Stormers teammate Wilco Louw, while the other change sees Pieter-Steph du Toit return to the starting fifteen in the No 7 jersey, with Jean-Luc du Preez dropping to the bench.
The magnificent @Beast_TM will raise his bat for the #Springboks this weekend. Congratulate him with a RT or like. This is the Bok team to face @EnglandRugby in Bloemfontein on Saturday. #LoveRugby pic.twitter.com/E08ysL0cvN
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 14, 2018
Mtawarira made his Springbok debut exactly 10 years against Wales, on 14 June 2008 in Pretoria at the age of 22. The following year he was an instrumental figure in the Springbok tight five as he helped to steer the South Africans to a memorable 2-1 series win over the British & Irish Lions.
Rassie Erasmus, the SA Rugby Director of Rugby, paid tribute to Mtawarira, whom he described as a great servant to Springbok rugby and a very good professional.
“Much like a typical front rower, ‘Beast’ is not someone who likes the spotlight,” said Erasmus.
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“However, his contribution to Springbok rugby during the past decade has been enormous and I want to congratulate him on reaching 100 Test caps for South Africa.
“It is a special achievement and while he deserves the accolades, I know he will be totally focussed on the most important job, and that is to face an extremely determined England side on Saturday in Bloem.”
Erasmus added that an improved performance will be needed from the Springboks when the two sides meet again at the Toyota Stadium.
“England is a powerful side and I know Eddie Jones will have his team super prepared for Saturday,” said Erasmus.
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“They will no doubt want to bounce back to level the series, so it’s going to be another huge Test of our resolve and character.”
The Springbok team to face England in Bloemfontein (in order of name and surname, franchise/club, caps and points):
15. Willie le Roux (Wasps, England, 42, 55 – 11t)
14. S’busiso Nkosi (Cell C Sharks, 1, 10 – 2t)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks, 2, 0)
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers, 29, 15 – 3t)
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Emirates Lions, 1, 5 – 1t)
10. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls, 27, 235 – 3t, 41c, 43p, 3d)
9. Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England, 12, 5 -1t)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Unattached, 40, 10 – 2t)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers, 34, 20 – 4t)
6. Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers, 29, 20 – 4t) – captain
5. Franco Mostert (Emirates Lions, 19, 5 – 1t)
4. RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls, 1, 0)
3. Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers, 17, 0)
2. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers, 15, 5 – 1t)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks, 99, 10 – 2t)
Replacements:
16. Akker van der Merwe (Cell C Sharks, 2, 0)
17. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers, 25, 5 – 1t)
18. Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks, 2, 0)
19. Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks, 11, 10 – 2t)
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe (DHL Stormers, 2, 0)
21. Ivan van Zyl (Vodacom Bulls, 2, 0)
22. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls, 30, 40 – 8t)
23. Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Bulls, 3, 5 – 1t)
