![The most capped prop in Springbok history, 34-year-old Mtawarira retired from international rugby after helping the team win the record-equaling World Cup title in November [Mark Baker/AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/3408c14a0a27441595da1d38fc7af133_18.jpeg?resize=570%2C380)
Mtawarira, who hails from Zimbabwe, looks back at his rugby career which almost derailed before taking off.
Rugby
Despite appointment of South Africa’s first black rugby captain conditions for young players still far from ideal.
![Siya Kolisi is hoping to secure South Africa's third world title [Edgar Su/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/b9591cce0ea045daae5b102ad50d289d_18.jpeg?resize=570%2C380)
England’s pace and attack are set to meet South Africa’s physicality and defence in the tournament’s...
![Wales are used to playing in the damp conditions they'll likely face in Yokohama for their semi-final against South Africa [Matthew Childs/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/60cf4623cf244834abf339e9867d0d3f_18.jpeg?resize=570%2C380)
A titanic battle between two gargantuan packs and plenty of kicking all over the park can be expected.
![England's Owen Farrell talks to his team-mates during training in Yokohama ahead of their crunch semifinal against New Zealand [Peter Cziborra/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/d7a6dc11cba946d4ba6be01d84caea94_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Rugby fans in for a treat as the planet’s top two teams meet in the World Cup semifinal in Japan.
![Scotland's WP Nel in action [Rebecca Naden/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cff537c5ac58427bb713ca57f5568dd8_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Scotland breezes past an exhausted-looking Russia at the Rugby World Cup to set up a showdown with host Japan.
![The demonstrators demanded an independent investigation into accusations against Babis and demanded his resignation [Tim Gosling/Al Jazeera]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/02b297f8f0e84344907481575b118a4a_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
A quarter of a million Czechs take part in rally calling on premier Andrej Babis to step down over corruption scandal.
![Rugby has not been in the Olympics for 92 years and returns with the Sevens format [Richard Parr/Al Jazeera]](/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/f653ef22612844d088032aa4249a02b5_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Kenya women’s team will be the only female rugby team representing the continent at the 2016 Olympic Games.
![New Zealand have become the first team to retain the trophy [EPA]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bcc2872792f140eca19a02000ae4243d_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
All Blacks withstand Australia fightback to win the World Cup for the third time.
![The Springboks dominated the game from the outset, finishing with two tries in the match [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1200623ddf024fb0afb22fcdcc07a21c_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Springboks down Argentina comfortably 24-13 to take bronze at Rugby World Cup in London.
![Australia and New Zealand have never met in a Rugby World Cup final [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/c1b74a26d5724902881d7bd4ee575613_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Australia seal first final appearance since 2003 after a 29-15 win over Argentina.
![Both tries of the semi-finals were scored by New Zealand [EPA]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/84b430d4fa844129a7319f87ecedbc9a_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Reigning rugby world champions beat South Africa to set up title-decider against Australia or Argentina next Saturday.
![Scotland were leading 34-32 going into the final minute [AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/345ef707060c478bb5806ea2f292d7f6_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Will take on Argentina for a place in the final after last-minute controversial penalty sealed their win.
![The All Blacks ran in nine tries for the biggest win in the knockout stages at a World Cup [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/753f97e95d294f6f977bf96206e42192_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Holders to face South Africa for a place in the final after record win in the Rugby World Cup.