Tendai Mtawarira joins Major Rugby League, signs for Old DC

WORLD Cup-winning South African prop Tendai Mtawarira has signed for Old Glory DC, the Washington-based team which will enter Major League Rugby next year.

“I’m really excited to come play rugby in Washington DC for Old Glory,” the man popularly known as “the Beast” told the Guardian, shortly after signing a one-year deal with his new team while on a visit to New York City.

“This conversation started quite a while back, it’s probably been over 10 months, chatting about the possibility of pursuing a career in America.”

Mtawarira was born in Zimbabwe, but played 117 times for the Springboks in a storied career which came to an end after the World Cup final against England in Yokohama last month. He played Currie Cup and Super Rugby for the Sharks, based in Durban, and also turned out for the Barbarians. 

The move to Washington was managed by Kyros Sports, a sports marketing company Mtawarira co-owns.

“I’ve been a loyal player to the Sharks and the Springboks,” Mtawarira said, “and I have had an amazing career. I’ve been blessed to have that longevity and eventually come out of it as a World Cup winner. I was always looking for a great opportunity overseas after that.

“Coming to America excited me the most. The league is still young and for me to be part of something that is still brand new and to be a mentor to young rugby players, that really excited me. I want to give back a lot more because I was given a hell of a lot from the game. It changed my life, literally.”

Mtawarira was linked to Gloucester in the English Premiership, but he said “the US excited me very much, above going to France (or England). Yes, the money’s big in France and big in Europe, but I wanted to be part of something that might contribute to my legacy. America really excites me: they say it’s the land of opportunity.”

Mtawarira’s trip to the US to sign for DC also brought the opportunity to watch LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, but he remains focused on rugby.