A former professional rugby player and under-21 international in South Africa has been convicted on four counts of murder for a series of grisly axe killings.
The South African Press Association says Joseph Ntshongwana was also found guilty on Friday of two counts of attempted murder, one of assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, one of kidnapping, and one of rape.
Ntshongwana played for the Pretoria-based Bulls Super Rugby team from 1998-2000, and was a member of South Africa’s Under-21 squad in 1998 alongside Springboks greats John Smit and Victor Matfield.
Ntshongwana killed the four victims with an axe in the space of a week in and around the east coast city of Durban in 2011. Two of the victims were decapitated.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
What's wrong with you? You need to increase the heat to increase permeation.
Tigranes
Guest
So he got off the charge...he claimed it was self-defence? Beating a cop to death with his bare fists?
Tigranes
Guest
Ray I remember this incident, and it was claimed that the bloke was suffering was mental illness at the time. Sadly, the average South African's view of mental illness is quite primitive, and instead of getting help for someone suffering from depression, their view is the bloke needs to harden up.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Onions. They needed more onions over a low, longer heat.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I wonder if the admirable André Watson saw this news, sat back and said to himself "I pinged him for head high a couple of times - I knew then he'd be trouble!"
Daniel Manning
Guest
Adam... hilarious and terrifying... he is back, saw him in the Currie Cup the other day.
Daniel Manning
Guest
Oooo... I want this guy to be the new quota for the Boks. Oupa Mahooje, move aside!
Die hard
Roar Rookie
?
DaveyBoy
Guest
Don't worry Diehard, he wasn't a Kiwi. You guys haven't quite risen to those heights yet - you don't have the physicality!
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I wish to protest that this is not newsworthy or relevant in any manner to this website. What is the obvious link. That it was a man and men read this? Or that he could play rugby?
atlas
Guest
I'm with you The day of tests featuring SA-Aust and Arg-NZ, the first one beginning in about 4 hours . . . apart from thread 'The Rugby Championship Week 5: The big questions' there is no match preview. And no team listings. But we have an article on a player who featured last century Someone can say 'you can Google' and yes I can look at Planet Rugby, Rugby Heaven etc, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of this forum somewhat?
AdamS
Roar Guru
Must be something in the water at the Bulls ground. There was also Bees Roux. http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Bees-Roux-to-hear-on-playing-future-20111002
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Old Bugger : C'mon, this is nothing. Remember the O J SIMPSON media circus? it is still going on even after many moons :D
Joseph isn't a Dutchman.
RaymondReddington
Roar Rookie
Somehow , James, Quade , Kurtley and Aaron don't seem so bad ..get over it ! . An unfortunate event like this can actually be a positive as those in the game reflect on what it is to be part of a wider family and think about possible ways to assist those former and current players who may be doing it tough (The "Are you OK" campaign an example). . If you want to hide a potential negative link for the game go ahead , but that attitude hasn't seemed to work for Religious faiths over time , and we are talking about the game they play in heaven !. This tragic event appears an aberration and should have no reflection on the game but to acknowledge it happened is more important than letting it go through to the keeper ...well done roar editors .
DaveyBoy
Guest
Wow, when was the last time any of the other football codes could lay claim to having an axe murderer in their ranks? I know you Big Dutchmen like the physicality, but this really takes physicality to a new level. Makes Schalk and Bakkies look like New Age pussies!
He played 9 matches in the Vodacom Cup and two Currie Cup matches for the Bulls over a period of 3 years. Quite the professional.
Turnover
Roar Guru
I don't have a problem with this article. It's a sports website, he played sport professionally. Seems reasonable to report on this.
All Bent Out of Shape.
Guest
Oh please.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Well said old B, not much of a rugby news if you ask me. Tasteless.