Harare, February 08, 2010 - Zimbabwe born rugby player Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira has been awarded a one-year contract with South Africa’s Springboks.

Mtawarira, who recently told reporters recently that his heart was in South Africa,  is among the top 20 players that have been offered contracts by the Springboks.

Mtawarira will part of the Springbkos and if he maintains his form will be part of the South Africa national team going to next year’s Rugby World Cup.

There was no place for another Zimbabwe born Tendai Mujati as he is now playing overseas. The South Rugby Union do not offer contracts to overseas players.

The former Peterhouse student Mtawarira is among some of the most high profile Zimbabwe rugby players who have switched allegiance to South Africa. Tonderai Chavhanga was the first Zimbabwean to switch allegiance in the late nineties.

Contracted Springboks:

Two years: John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, JP Pietersen.

One year: Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Heinrich Brüssow, Danie Rossouw, Ruan Pienaar, Morné Steyn, Wynand Olivier, Adrian Jacobs, Chiliboy Ralepelle (subject to a fitness test).