Tendai Mtawarira signs for American side Old Glory DC

South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winner Tendai Mtawarira will play in the forthcoming MLR season after agreeing to sign for Old Glory DC.

Affectionately known around the rugby world by his nickname “Beast”, due to his scrummaging power and ball-carrying ability, Mtawarira comes to Washington DC almost directly off of the ultimate rugby victory, having anchored the front-row as the starting loosehead prop for the 2019 World Cup champions South Africa.

This achievement was the culmination of an international career that earned Mtawarira 117 caps, making him the most-capped Springbok forward of all time.

Born in Zimbabwe, Mtawarira has spent his professional career playing for Super Rugby’s Sharks, based in Durban. His appearances for the South African national team have included taking on the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour and numerous Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and world number one ranked side New Zealand.

“Beast” will join an already talented Old Glory side, which hopes to contend for the MLR championship in its inaugural season of 2020.

https://twitter.com/Beast_TM/status/1207351221100666881

Old Glory head coach Andrew Douglas said: “It’s exciting to have one of the worlds best players here at Old Glory. As a coach, not only am I excited about what Tendai brings to the pitch, but also what he brings to our environment.

“He is an excellent professional and the values and character he brings will be important in raising the bar for the whole squad. To have a guy who has played 117 test matches yet is still so hard working and humble can only be beneficial for us. The signing takes the league to another level.”

“I really want to thank the whole Old Glory organisation for making this happen,” said Mtawarira. “I can’t wait to make an impact on and off the field and help to contribute to making Old Glory the best team in this league.”

Gary Gold, head coach of the US national men’s rugby team, the Eagles, and a native of South Africa, said: “The news today that Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira has signed to play his rugby at Old Glory in Washington is an incredibly strong message that the MLR competition is now a league that top players are starting to take seriously.

“To have a player of Tendai’s ability, and in his current form, as we saw in the recent RWC final, is a testament to the work that has been put in over recent years to form a sustainable competitive competition in the USA, that can attract players of the quality of Tendai. I know Beastie well and I know what incredible value he will bring to the Old Glory team and the MLR.”