The trial of former Blue Bulls' rugby player Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana will continue in the Durban High Court next year.
The trial is set down for April 15 to 26.
Ntshongwana is charged with the murder of Thembelenkosini Cebekhulu in Montclair in Durban, on March 20, 2011, Paulos Hlongwa two days later, Simon Ngidi the following day, and an unidentified man sometime that week.
All were hacked to death with an axe.
He is also accused of kidnapping and raping a woman on November 28, 2010, and of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
He faces two other charges of attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty.