By Bronwyn Gerretsen
Former Springbok rugby star Percy Montgomery was arrested on Sunday after allegedly assaulting his wife, Tasmin, in Umhlanga.
Montgomery appeared in the Verulam Magistrate's Court on Monday charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and was released on R1 500 bail.
Police spokesperson Vincent Mdunge said the case was "domestic violence-related" and had been opened by Tasmin with the Durban North police.
He said police did not know what had sparked the altercation.
According to the charge sheet, the conditions of Montgomery's bail are that he does not assault, threaten or verbally abuse his wife, and that he does not communicate with, threaten or harass her parents.
The assault charge related to an allegation that Montgomery assaulted his wife by "squeezing her leg" and "throwing a punch at her", the charge sheet states.
The circumstances leading to the incident and how Tasmin's parents were involved in the situation are not known.
The case was adjourned to November 6 for further investigation and for Montgomery to acquire legal representation. The charge sheet also said that some witness statements were outstanding.
Natasha Ramkisson, regional communications manager for the National Prosecuting Authority, said court records did not show any previous protection order or interdict.
The police said Montgomery was arrested at the Oyster Box Hotel. However, hotel general manager Wayne Coetzee said although Montgomery probably had used the hotel's facilities that day, he was not arrested there. He said that Montgomery's parents-in-law lived in the apartment building, The Oysters, which is directly behind the hotel.
When contacted for comment last night Montgomery, via the Springboks' communications manager Anthony Mackaiser, said the issue was considered personal, and that he and his wife were treating it as such.
The couple attended the re-opening of the Oyster Box Hotel last week and appeared to be very much in love. Recent media articles have also portrayed the couple as rock solid in their marriage.
The blond rugby star, who was an integral part of the 2008 World Cup-winning team and is now the Boks' kicking coach, married model and body double Tasmin (nee Tobitt) at Zimbali Lodge in 2003. At that time, he was serving a six-month ban from the game after pushing a linesman while playing for Welsh club Newport.
He was initially handed a two-year ban for this "out of character" incident, but it was later reduced. Nevertheless, it kept him out of the 2003 World Cup.