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Beast to be deported?

Cape Town - Sharks player Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira faces possible deportation to Zimbabwe instead of another Bok cap, while Pakistani spinner Imran Tahir is unlikely to represent the Proteas, should a senior ANC MP have his way, according to a report in the Mercury.

National Assembly sports committee chairperson Butana Komphela was adamant on Monday that only "bona fide" people should represent South Africa in its national teams - not foreign players.

Komphela vowed to have SA Rugby charged for "illegally" fielding Mtawarira and to deport him to Zimbabwe.

The Mtawarira issue was brought back into the spotlight after Tahir was called up to the South African national cricket team last week, and then dropped a day later because his permanent residency was not granted.

Mtawarira, 24, is in the country on a skilled work permit obtained by the Sharks, but Komphela said permits allowing players to represent clubs did not permit their inclusion in national teams.
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