By Kashiefa Ajam and Bianca Williams
Former Springbok rugby star James Small was rushed by ambulance to Somerset Hospital on Monday after suffering an apparent breakdown at home in Sea Point, Cape Town.
His family doctor, Murray Rushmere, said Small was stable after his "breakdown", adding that his condition was not medically sensitive and was "more an emotional than physical issue".
He said Small also had minor injuries but would not elaborate.
Family and friends, including Christina Storm - Small's former fiance and prominent South African model, gathered at the hospital's trauma unit on Monday night, but declined to comment about his condition.
Small was apparently under sedation.
Police and rescue services rushed to Small's Frere Road home on Monday morning after they received a frantic call from him. Storm was at the house at the time.
They made headlines a few months ago after they broke off their engagement.
This was followed by Small's confession that he had physically abused Storm during their relationship.
Storm has recently been seen in Cape Town on the arm of Springbok Nude Girls' lead singer Arno Carstens. The band's label manager Paul Thackwery said Carstens was not prepared to comment as it was "a personal matter".
Small was notorious for his short temper on the rugby field which at times landed him in hot water with the authorities.
He co-owns two coffee shops in the city with his mother.