Durban - Former Blue Bulls player Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana was sentenced to five life sentences in the Durban High Court on Friday.
Judge Irfaan Khalil sentenced him to life imprisonment for each of the four murders and the rape charge that he was convicted of.
He was sentenced to four years for each of two attempted murders, two years for assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, and four years for kidnapping.
Ntshongwana killed Thembelenkosini Cebekhulu in Montclair, Durban, on March 20, 2011, Paulos Hlongwa in Lamontville two days later, Simon Ngidi in Umbilo the following day, and an unidentified man some time that week in Yellowwood Park.
All were hacked to death with an axe. Two of the victims were beheaded.
He also raped and kidnapped a woman. He attacked and tried to kill two men, one in Umlazi on March 21, 2011, and the other in Lamontville on March 23. - Sapa