The Beast meets Prince of Wales

Zimpapers Sports Hub

Zimbabwe-born legendary former South African prop Tendai Mtawarira has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share moments with the Prince of Wales, Prince William, during rugby training sessions at Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Prince William arrived in South Africa on Monday for a visit focusing on his Earthshot environmental prize and supporting young people.

During the visit, he interacted with Mtawarira and some of South Africa’s most well-known rugby players, including former Springboks Joel Stransky and Percy Montgomery.

Mtawarira recalled to the BBC that the last time he met the Prince of Wales with the Springboks was over a decade ago.

“The last time I shook his hand was back in 2013 in Cardiff when we had just won the Prince of Wales Cup against Wales. He usually makes a turn in the changing room. I was only wearing my towel and was half-naked back then, so he said it was a change for me to be fully dressed,” Mtawarira told the BBC.

The legendary prop took to social media to express his delight after meeting Prince William.

The former Churchill and Peterhouse pupil said it was an honour to have rubbed shoulders with the Prince and the next generation of rugby stars.

“A huge honour spending time with His Royal Highness, Prince William, in Cape Town and chasing after a rugby ball in the company of the next generation of Springboks and The Sharks,” he wrote on Facebook.

The visit was organised by the Atlas Charity, founded by England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Jason Leonard. The Earthshot Prize awards initiative supports eco-friendly innovations from around the world, with five winners each receiving £1 million.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony tonight in Cape Town.

Mtawarira is the fourth most capped South African rugby player, with 117 appearances for the Springboks. He is the most capped prop in South African history, having made his debut for the Boks against Wales on 14 June 2008. He also won the 2019 Rugby World Cup with South Africa. – @brandon_malvin