In this ongoing article series, we delve into what Beast Mtawarira has been doing since retiring from international rugby in 2019.
Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, one of the most iconic and universally beloved Springboks, hails from Zimbabwe. He moved to South Africa as a young man after discovering a profound passion and talent for rugby, eventually crafting one of the most distinguished careers in Springbok history.
Mtawarira played in 117 Tests for the Springboks, ranking fourth in all-time appearances, and he started in nearly every one of those matches. His rugby career reached a high point early on with a powerful scrummaging performance in the victorious 2009 series against the British & Irish Lions.
His career began with that triumph and fittingly ended on a similar high note with a dominant performance in the scrum during the 2019 World Cup final against England.
Throughout his professional life, Mtawarira showed exceptional loyalty to the Sharks, playing for this single local franchise and accumulating over 150 appearances across all competitions.
He briefly joined Major League Rugby’s Old Glory DC primarily in a mentorship capacity, but the pandemic cut short his time in the U.S.
Post-Rugby Success
Post-retirement, Mtawarira has continued to flourish. He has smartly transitioned into the business realm, holding shares in a major security company, owning an international wine business, serving on the Sharks’ board, and engaging in various other business ventures.
He is a popular ambassador for several top brands and a coveted guest speaker. At 38 years old, he is also active philanthropically through The Beast Foundation, which he founded to empower young people via sports training, education, and skills development. His foundation has organized numerous coaching boot camps for young rugby players.
In 2022, UNICEF named him a regional ambassador for eastern and southern Africa, where he has led several outreach initiatives.
Global Influence
Thanks to his worldwide renown and various roles in business and philanthropy, Mtawarira is a true international traveler, sharing his experiences from attending major U.S. sports events to the Monaco Grand Prix and the exclusive Roc Nation brunch on social media.
It’s clear that Mtawarira, a devoted husband and father, has achieved as much success off the field as he did on it, proving himself to be one of the greatest Springboks of all time both in and out of the rugby scene.
