Three Zimbabweans in Bok squad

2008-05-28 18:05

Cape Town - The Zimbabwean-born props Tendai Mtawarira and Brian Mujati both cracked the nod at Somerset West on Wednesday when Saru president Oregan Hoskins announced the Springbok squad for the in-coming tours duty in June.

The front row duo were both hugely impressive in this season's Super 14 competition for the Sharks and Stormers respectively, and it was a mere formality that they would be in the squad to face Wales and Italy next month.

Mtawarira has proved very popular with fans at the training sessions this week and there was the customary roar of "Beast" whenever he gained possession. The "Beast" roar was started by the Sharks fans in appreciation for his bullocking runs in open play and solid scrummaging.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said both players have satisfied residential qualifications for South African citizenship.

"Everything is in order," De Villiers assured. "We won't make the same mistakes as four years ago.

"This company (Saru) has a history of learning from their mistakes and never to repeat it again." De Villiers' veiled reference to Saru's mistakes was a throwback to a case involving another Zimbabwean-born player Tonderai Chavhanga.

In 2003 Chavhanga played for the Springbok Sevens squad at a time when he had not yet qualified for SA citizenship - and when rugby's world controlling body, the IRB, found out they slapped Saru with a R1.2m penalty.

Chavhanga is currently in great form and was named in the Bok squad on Wednesday. He has not yet fully recovered from a hamstring strain but he is well on the road to recovery.

On Tuesday he participated in a contact session for the first time since his injury in late April when he played for the Stormers against the Hurricanes.

Initially it was thought that Chavhanga may not be ready for the June 7 Test against Wales but in view of his progress De Villiers may decide to start him off on the substitutes' bench.

The speedy Chavhanga whose ability on defence has improved immeasurably this season could be the Boks' answer to Wales' lethal weapon Shane Williams. The Welsh wing who boasts 41 tries after 56 Tests will pose a threat to the Boks in the up-coming Tests.

- SAPA