‘Beast’ doubt as Boks star’s citizenship questioned

SOUTH AFRICAN prop Tendai Mtawarira’s participation in tonight’s Test against France in Toulouse is in doubt due to ongoing confusion surrounding his citizenship.

The 19-times capped, Zimbabwean-born prop, who is named in the Boks’ starting line-up for the clash, is eligible to play for South Africa according to the IRB’s three-year residency rule, but the South African Sports Ministry seems less flexible.

A statement released by the Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile’s office seems to contradict the South African Rugby Union statement released last weekend, which claimed Mtawarira – nicknamed The Beast – has been cleared to tour with the Bok squad following “productive discussions” between the administrators and the Sports Ministry.