Springbok prop Mtawarira recovers after heart scare

Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira has said he is recovering from the heart scare that forced him to pull out of his side's European tour and intends to be back in action next year. Mtawarira returned home to South Africa after he had a recurrence of mild heart palpitations shortly before the South Africans' tour opener against Ireland in Dublin on November 10. He subsequently underwent in Cape Town "a minor medical procedure to correct an intermittent irregular heart rhythm" and was released from hospital on Friday, a South Africa Rugby Union press release said. "I am well, so there is really no need to worry," said Mtawarira. "The procedure went well. It's only a minor procedure and sometimes it needs to be done more than once to clear the palpitations. "This is something that has happened to me before and that can be treated. Also, it's not career-threatening. "Sometimes I get quite excited before a game and that is probably what triggered it. "It's sad to miss out on the last two Tests of the season, but I've enjoyed a good year and am looking forward to 2013 very much." The 27-year-old Mtawarira has been capped 41 for South Africa. He was replaced at prop in Dublin by CJ van der Linde as the Springboks went on to win 16-12. Toulouse prop Gurthro Steenkamp takes over from van der Linde for the second tour game against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.