‘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.

However, reports have revealed that Stofile is yet to give the green light since Mtawarira does not have permanent residence or a South African passport. Reports in South Africa suggest that he only has a work permit that entitles him to play for the Sharks.

Extracts from the Sports Ministry’s statement suggest his participation may be in doubt.

“This request to have the Minister use his position to have the process of securing permanent residence and subsequently, citizenship expedited ahead of the year end tour in Europe, has exposed our sport administrators’ clear disrespect or lack of understanding of our laws,” read the statement.

“Talented as he is, Tendai, like all foreign nationals plying their trade in South Africa, is bound by the laws of this country. The migration laws of our country are clear on issues relating to permanent residence and citizenship.

“We expect our sport administrators to understand and respect legislation that regulate their business.

“The principle here is clear: only citizens of our country can play for our national team, irrespective of the sport code.”

Meanwhile, France wing Vincent Clerc believes the local knowledge of the seven Toulouse players in Les Blues’ line-up could give them the edge required to beat South Africa tonight.

The Boks will play France in Toulouse for the first time in 25 years on Friday, where a knowledgeable capacity crowd at the Stadium de Toulouse will be hoping their homegrown stars can upset the world champions.

“It’s a super stadium with a super crowd,” Clerc told Rugbyrama.

“It’s also a stadium where I have a lot bearings and visual markers that can be useful. I know how to put the ball into touch to stop the Boks from taking a quick throw in.”

Clerc is not alone in feeling at home as the French side is packed with his Stade Toulousain team-mates: Cédric Heymans lurks on the opposite wing while Maxime Médard should make an appearance off the bench to form an all-Toulouse back three.

Explosive centre Yann David wins his second cap in midfield, while flank Thierry Dusautoir, lock Romain Millo-Chluski and hooker William Servat ensure that Toulouse have a representative in every row of the pack.

Clerc reckons he is “close to his best” level after returning to international duty in June, but admits that the whole French team will have to produce something special to beat the Boks.

“The Springboks have been performing since the World Cup. They found their rhythm, their style of play. All the players are at their peak,” he said.

“I saw the videos from the Tri-Nations. Their game isn’t exceptional but they are capable of imposing a terrible amount of pressure with high balls and a lot of players chasing. We’ve been warned. We’ll need a lot of solidarity.

“With those high balls the Boks will aim for our third curtain of defence. We’ll have to be there to receive them, help in support, protect the ball. We’ll have to be good at the rucks and on the ground. I know my role will be to help keep the ball.

“There will have to be perfect communication between the full-back and the centres. It’s up to us to counter when they use the boot. We’ve have to anticipate.”

FRANCE: D Traille (Biarritz); V Clerc (Toulouse), Y David (Toulouse), M Mermoz (Perpignan), C Heymans (Toulouse); F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), J Dupuy (Stade Francais); F Barcella (Biarritz), W Servat (Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan); L Nallet (Racing Metro 92), R Millo-Chluski (Toulouse), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz), L Picamoles (Toulouse).

Replacements: D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), S Chabal (Racing Metro 92), J Bonnaire (Clermont), M Parra (Clermont), D Marty (Perpignan), M Medard (Toulouse), T Domingo (Clermont).

SOUTH AFRICA: Z Kirchner (Bulls); JP Pietersen (Sharks), J Fourie (Lions), A Jacobs (Sharks), B Habana (Bulls); M Steyn (Bulls), F du Preez (Bulls); R Kankowski (Sharks), S Burger (Stormers), H Brussow (Free State Cheetahs), V Matfield (Bulls), B Botha (Bulls), J Smit (Sharks, capt), B du Plessis (Sharks), T Mtawarira (Sharks).

Replacements: A Strauss (Free State Cheetahs), W du Preez (Free State Cheetahs), CJ van der Linde (Leinster), A Bekker (Stormers), D Rossouw (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), W Olivier (Bulls).