Sharks' CEO Brian van Zyl is adamant that Mtawarira has signed another three-year contract with the Durban outfit, but according to the Lions, the player is said to refute that he is in fact bound by a contract adding that his future "might have to be decided by SARU."
Sharks coach John Plumtree has reacted with dismay, insisting that the iconic prop is going nowhere.
"He signed a three-year contract with us a few months ago," he told the Mercury newspaper.
"Why would he do that if he was unhappy? I suspect that there are outside influences at play here," Plumtree added.
The rumours are that The Lions have made an offer for the Springbok prop that the Sharks won’t be able to match and sources from the Lions camp indicate the move is merely a formality and the chance is excellent that Beast will be in a Lions jersey next season.
If Mtawarira does eventually end up playing for the Lions it will be a massive move for the prop who was nurtured by the Sharks in his formative years. It would also not go unnoticed that the Lions have traditionally been the end of the road for many props and front-rowers like Sephaka and Nkumane.
Lets hope Beast continues to be at the top of his game wherever he plays for the sake of South Africa.
