Garrin Lambley
Cape Town - A relieved "Beast" Mtawarira has told how he received a call from Archbishop Desmond Tutu after his SA citizenship was finally approved on Friday.
Writing on his social networking Twitter page, the Sharks and Springbok prop stated: What a relief. My heart pounded when I got the call yesterday. Am touched by the support from all. I can't wait to wear the green and gold.
Beast went on to write: I didn't sleep much last nite thinking and imagining my next game in the jersey. I can't wait to throw my weight around all out for the bokke.
The loosehead fan favourite concluded by revealing: I even got a call from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to show his support. Wow. I really felt honored to speak to the great man. I was so inspired.
On Friday it was confirmed that Mtawarira had been granted official South African status. Mtawarira was forced to sit out the last three Tests - against France and Italy (twice) - because the government felt it wasn’t right to select a player that wasn’t a South African citizen.
Since making his debut in 2008, the Zimbabwean-born Mtawarira, who has played 22 Test for South Africa, has never had an issue regarding his eligibility, but was excluded this year when the government demanded it.
Mtawarira is likely to be included in Springbok coach Peter de Villiers's 26-man Tri-Nations squad which will be named after the Test against Italy in East London on Saturday.
Kick-off for the Test is 15:00 and the squad is expected to be named at 17:30.
Cape Town - A relieved "Beast" Mtawarira has told how he received a call from Archbishop Desmond Tutu after his SA citizenship was finally approved on Friday.
Writing on his social networking Twitter page, the Sharks and Springbok prop stated: What a relief. My heart pounded when I got the call yesterday. Am touched by the support from all. I can't wait to wear the green and gold.
Beast went on to write: I didn't sleep much last nite thinking and imagining my next game in the jersey. I can't wait to throw my weight around all out for the bokke.
The loosehead fan favourite concluded by revealing: I even got a call from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to show his support. Wow. I really felt honored to speak to the great man. I was so inspired.
On Friday it was confirmed that Mtawarira had been granted official South African status. Mtawarira was forced to sit out the last three Tests - against France and Italy (twice) - because the government felt it wasn’t right to select a player that wasn’t a South African citizen.
Since making his debut in 2008, the Zimbabwean-born Mtawarira, who has played 22 Test for South Africa, has never had an issue regarding his eligibility, but was excluded this year when the government demanded it.
Mtawarira is likely to be included in Springbok coach Peter de Villiers's 26-man Tri-Nations squad which will be named after the Test against Italy in East London on Saturday.
Kick-off for the Test is 15:00 and the squad is expected to be named at 17:30.