HARARE Zimbabwean-born South African Rugby Union (SARU) player Tendai Beast Mtawarira added a new feather to his cap when he became the first Zimbabwean to be selected to play for the Barbarians a British Rugby Union invitational squad that was set to face New Zealand at Twickenham yesterday. <
Membership to the Barbarians nicknamed the “Baa-Baas” is strictly by invitation and the only qualifications considered are that the player’s rugby is of a high enough standard and secondly that he should behave himself on and off the field. Founded in 1884 the Barbarians are a prestigious side that the games greats throughout the world hope to turn out for in their playing lives.
Mtawarira is among a group of South African national team players selected for yesterdays historical match who include Morne Steyn, Byran Habana and Victor Matfield. The Beast, a product of Maronderas Peterhouse boarding school, turns out for SARU Super-14 side Sharks.
But despite representing South Africa internationally after qualifying for the Springboks through the International Rugby Boards three years residency rule, Mtawarira remains a Zimbabwean national.??
South Africas World Cup-winning lock Matfield was expected to captain the Barbarians against New Zealand, leading an impressive Baa-Baas side that boasts 925 international caps.??
The Barbarians traditionally played six annual encounters Penarth, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport during their Easter Tour; a Boxing Day game with Leicester and the Mobbs Memorial Match against East Midlands in the spring.
In 1948, the Barbarians were invited to face Australia as part of the teams tour of Britain, Ireland and France. Although initially designed as a fundraiser towards the end of the tour, the encounter became a popular fixture for most touring nations to Britain, and a Barbarian tradition.
Barbarians line-up
15 Drew Mitchell, Australia (New Barbarian, 40 international caps)??
14 Joe Rokocoko, New Zealand (2 BFC caps, 60 international caps)??
13 Jaque Fourie, South Africa (New Barbarian, 54)??
12 Jamie Roberts, Wales (New Barbarian, 16)??
11 Bryan Habana, South Africa (1, 57)??
10 Matt Giteau, Australia (2, 78)??
9 Fourie du Preez, South Africa (1, 55)??
1 Salvatore Perugini, Italy (New Barbarian, 66)??
2 Bismarck du Plessis, South Africa (New Barbarian, 32)??
3 WP Nel, Free State Cheetahs (New Barbarian, uncapped)??
4 Carlo Del Fava, Italy (New Barbarian, 42)??
5 Victor Matfield (capt), South Africa (New Barbarian, 920)??
6 Rocky Elsom, Australia (2, 49)??
7 Schalk Burger, South Africa (2, 55)??
8 George Smith, Australia (New Barbarian, 110)??
Replacements
16 Stephen Moore, Australia (New Barbarian, 46)??
17 Tendai Mtawarira, South Africa (New Barbarian, 22)??
18 Quintin Geldenhuys, Italy (New Barbarian, 6)??
19 Andy Powell, Wales (New Barbarian, 12)??
20 Will Genia, Australia (New Barbarian, 11)?
21 Morne Steyn, South Africa (New Barbarian, 12)??
22 Leigh Halfpenny, Wales (New Barbarian, 10)
Post published in: Rugby