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Former Springbok mainstay Tendai Mtawarira has explained his reveal in documentary trailers for the 2019 World Cup that he considered retiring in 2017.
The first episode of the five-part documentary based on the Springboks’ victory at the 2019 World Cup, ‘Chasing the Sun’, will air on DStv this Sunday, October 4. The final episode of the series will premiere on November 1, exactly one year from the finale in Yokohama.
A SuperSport camera crew traveled with the Boks throughout 2019, gaining unprecedented behind-the-scenes access in the run-up to and during the World Cup in Japan.
In a clip from the documentary trailer, Mtawarira revealed that he considered retiring from the game when the Springboks fell to eighth in the world rankings after a disastrous 2017 season.
During the online media release of the documentary Wednesday, the Springboks’ standout accessory added depth to its reveal.
“It was a dark time for Springbok rugby,” Mtawarira said. As a senior player myself, I took it very personally. I took it personally that we were not producing in the field and that we were far below that standard.
“It was very personal for me. I had sleepless nights. During those two years, it was difficult to walk the streets, meet people on the streets, because you felt like you were disappointing everyone.
At the time I was thinking of retiring. I thought about it, this was probably it. At the end of 2017, I really wanted to call him. At that time, towards the end of 2017, I remember having a meeting with [former Bok coach] Allister Coetzee in one of the test matches. I just felt that things had to change. There were many problems that we had in the camp. I just felt like I couldn’t bear what was happening.
Luckily Rassie came in and took over in early 2018 and that was probably the moment I sat down and decided I was going to give my last chance. Give everything I have to get to that World Cup squad. For me, that was probably the last thing I had to do, win a World Cup. So the arrival of Rassie gave me that confidence to make that decision. ‘
After being able to see the first episode before its premiere this Sunday, Mtawarira explained his feelings of being able to relive the whole experience.
‘I’ve seen the first episode and I can tell you that I got goose bumps after reliving the whole trip. It’s pretty incredible, ”she said. “It starts at the beginning with everything, when things weren’t so good for the Springboks and the journey we took to get back to where we are now. We take responsibility for ourselves and we create friendships, relationships, we create our brotherhood between us that will last forever.
“ We did this together and even though we don’t see each other that often, when we do, we will have that look in our eyes remembering the time we won the World Cup. It’s really special. ‘
Photo: Getty Images
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