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The Springbok selectors have been instructed by the South African Rugby Union not to select Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira for the national team, following communication from the department of Sport and Recreation.
Rugby 365 reports that SARU received a letter on Friday from deputy sports minister, Gert Oosthuizen, reaffirming the government’s position that no foreign player can be selected to represent a national team.
The Zimbabwean-born Mtawarira has played 22 Test matches for the Springboks since his debut in 2008. He is legally resident and employed in South Africa and was selected to play for the Springboks having fulfilled the eligibility criteria of the International Rugby Board.
“We have had extensive and robust conversations with government on this issue,” said Oregan Hoskins, president of SARU.
“But we respect the authority of the Ministry and have instructed our selectors in that regard.”
Hoskins added that Mtawarira wished to become a South African citizen as soon as possible and SARU had been assisting him in fulfilling the necessary criteria.
The South African Rugby Union will be making no further comment on the matter.
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Sad News for the Bokke, good news for the Sharks.
I wonder how long it will take to get him citizenship? I suspect it will be sorted before the RWC.
I HOPE.
I can’t believe this!!
@wpw (Comment 2) :
it’s the law of the country and as much as it hurts, there is nothing that can be done until he becomes a citizen.
Ilegal immegrants have more rights
@Charlie (Comment 4) :
You know better than to go there.
@ KSA
What is this thing with our rugby guys in and out then not allowed to play i was starting to think the same me just think they are just totally scared to play our WC C and take it a 2nd time thats all and with the rest of P
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : if so why now he has been a SB for how long its all just dame p and soar grapes if you ask me
ok i know
Only took 22 test matches to work that one out… Does that mean Sars will only catch up to me in 2015?
@Charlie (Comment 4) : Illegal immigrants can play for the Bokke??
@Rahul (Comment 9) : that’s the thing. If they banned him at the beginning it would look a bit different. But sth like that it only points towards some incompetencey or bad will even.
Poor Beast – hope his citizenship application goes through quickly.