At last “The Beast”, Tendai Mtawarira, gets the go ahead to represent the country he loves and has represented with great distinction.

Article thanks to News24

Johannesburg – The South African Rugby Union announced on Friday that prop Tendai Mtawarira had been cleared for selection for the Springboks following the granting of South African citizenship.

Mtawarira was unavailable for selection for the Springboks’ first four Tests of 2010 – against Wales, France and Italy (2) – as he was not a holder of South African passport. The decision to exclude him form selection was taken following advice from the Ministry of Sport reaffirming the government’s position that no foreign player can be selected to represent a national team.

Mtawarira had been actively seeking South African citizenship and has now been granted that right by the minister for Home Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

“This is very gratifying news indeed and thanks to much hard work that has been going on behind the scenes over the past few months,” said Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union.

“I’d like to personally thank Minister Dlamini-Zuma for her intervention to assist in this matter. It had long been the Beast’s desire to become naturalised and he has had to endure some difficult times in recent months. He is now eligible for selection should he fit into the plans of the coach and national selectors.”

The Springbok squad for the away-leg of the Tri-Nations will be named by Hoskins and Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Saturday evening following the Test against Italy in East London. It will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 at 17:30.