Winemakers / The Beast
The Beast
The story behind
The Wine
Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-South African former professional rugby union player, best known for his illustrious career with the Springboks and the Sharks in Super Rugby, and later with Old Glory DC in the U.S. Now retired from the game, he has channelled his passion beyond sport into creating his own collection of premium wine and it’s a true pleasure to present his outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon—crafted with the same power and precision he brought to the game.
Discover our
Sporting Connection
Tendai Mtawarira – affectionately known as “The Beast” – is one of the most iconic figures in South African rugby history. A powerful and relentless force on the field, he earned 117 Test caps for the Springboks, making him the third most-capped South African player of all time, behind only Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield.
At club level, he became South Africa’s most capped Super Rugby player, appearing in 159 matches for the Sharks.
Tendai made his Springbok debut in 2008, but truly announced himself on the world stage with a standout performance in the 2009 series win over the British & Irish Lions. A decade later, he capped off his remarkable career by helping lead South Africa to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final against England, before officially retiring from professional rugby.
Exploring the
Vineyard
Nestled in the southernmost corner of the Franschhoek Valley and framed by breathtaking mountain ranges, the 22-hectare Holden Manz Wine Estate lies between the Franschhoek River and Stony Brook, at an elevation of 300 metres above sea level.
Exclusively dedicated to red varietals, the estate cultivates just 16 of its prime hectares, focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Merlot. The region’s long, cold, and wet winters offer ideal dormancy for the vines, while hot, dry summers and a gentle autumn ensure slow, even ripening.
With a diverse terroir shaped by three distinct soil types and a pronounced seasonal climate, Holden Manz is perfectly positioned to fulfil its singular ambition: crafting ultra-premium wines for the discerning connoisseur.
“The Beast was introduced to me by mutual connections. I played rugby from 8 years old until I was 35 and have always been an avid follower of the game. I was intrigued to meet a Rugby World Cup Winner, albeit against the national team I have supported for many years, England, and a man who could inspire a whole stadium with a cry of Beeeeest! After meeting the man I was stuck by his sense of serenity and style. He can certainly command a room. We tasted many wines together and eventually honed in on the wine which has become the Beast Red Blend. An equal blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah this is definitely a New World styled wine – just like the Beast! It is smooth on the palate with a long lasting finish but full bodied and packs a punch!” – Gerard Holden (Winemaker)
In their
Own Words
“I am super excited to partner up with Sporting Wine Hub as the distributor of The Beast Wine Collection in the UK. We are bringing a taste of South Africa in a bottle with our 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah Blend made in Franschhoek. Stoked for all wine lovers in the UK to finally get a chance to appreciate the unique tastes and flavours that come from our beloved country.”
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