South African work visa row simmers down for rugby player

November 20 2009 by Liam Clifford

Springbok resolves his South African visa issue.

Following revelations that Zimbabwean national Tendai Mtawarira may not have the correct work visa to play for South African team the Springboks, talks between the national rugby union establishment and the Pretoria government have resolved the situation.

Mtawarira, known to rugby fans as "the beast", faced being dismissed from playing for the national team after it was claimed he did not have the correct South African work visa to do so. There were suggestions he did not actually have the right to work in South Africa at all.

Now Mtawarira and fellow Springboks players Brian Mujati and Tonderai Chavhanga will not be benched or dismissed because of a potential South Africa immigration issue.

"The beast" has played 15 games for the Springboks since last summer, but was accused by the head of the South African Rugby Union this month of lacking a permit for permanent residence in South Africa.

Andy Colquhoun, communications manager for South Africa Rugby, confirmed to Zimbabwean news portal VOA Studio 7 that, following the discussions between his organisation and government officials, Mtawarira will be permitted to play for the Springboks.

Rugby Union representatives say Mtawarira is currently in South Africa on an exceptional skills visa.

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