Tendai Nihal "Beast" Mtawarira (born 1 August 1985 in Harare, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean-born South African who plays for the South African rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. Mtawarira, a prop, is fondly known by friends and fans as "The Beast". Roars of "Beast" are shouted by spectators and fans of the Natal Sharks team whenever Mtawarira attains possession of the ball or makes a big tackle. Mtawarira was selected as part of the South African National Rugby Union team and made his debut playing against Wales in a test match on 14 June 2008. The following week, on 21 June 2008, Mtawarira scored a try against Italy as well as winning the 'Man of the Match' award.
He attended Peterhouse Group of Boarding Schools in Marondera in Zimbabwe, along with Brian Mujati, who also represented the Springboks. Notably, despite living in South Africa and representing the country internationally, Mtawarira was a Zimbabwean national until late June 2010; he qualified for South Africa by three years' residency, as allowed under International Rugby Board rules.
Mtawarira attended Churchill Boys High School for 5 years before being given a full scholarship to Peterhouse. At the age of 15, while at Churchill, he was spotted by legendary Zimbabwean Coach Joey Muwadzuri who invited him to join the Under 19 side at the National Schools Festival. Later that year coach Joey invited him to be part of Cats and Dogs Rugby Academy Team that won the National Seniors 7's tournament. He played with stars Dan Hondo, Pete Benade, Tonderai "Kawaza" Chavhanga, among others. Despite his young age he used his strength and will to learn to tread with the senior boys.
