Percy Montgomery

Springbok legend and record-breaking fullback

Percival Colin Montgomery (born 15 March 1974) is a South African former professional rugby union player. When he ended his international career in August 2008, he held the all-time records for both caps and points for South Africa's national team, making him one of the greatest fullbacks of all time.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Percival Colin Montgomery
Born: 15 March 1974
Birthplace: Walvis Bay, Namibia
Weight: 94 kg / 207 lb

Lore & Background

Montgomery was born 15 March 1974 in Walvis Bay, present-day Namibia. He attended South African College Schools in Cape Town. He played for Western Province and the Stormers before moving to Wales in 2002 to join Newport RFC, and later the Newport Gwent Dragons. He returned to South Africa for the Sharks and Western Province, and also played for Perpignan in France. On 13 May 2003 while playing for Newport, Montgomery was sent off for pushing a touch judge to the ground, and was later heavily fined and given a two-year ban, with 18 months suspended.

Reader's Guide

Montgomery earned his first Springbok cap against the British & Irish Lions in July 1997. He played at the 1999 Rugby World Cup and had 50 caps by end of 2001. After a change in policy, he was recalled in 2004. He was the leading points scorer in the Tri Nations in 2004 and 2005.

He became the first Springbok to reach 600 Test points on 17 June 2006, and passed 700 points on 9 June 2007. On 14 September 2007, he became the first Springbok to score 800 Test points and equalled Joost van der Westhuizen as the most-capped Springbok with his 89th appearance. He took sole possession of the caps record on 22 September against Tonga. He was the leading point scorer in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

His 893 Test points are well over twice as many as Naas Botha's second-place total. He became the first Springbok to earn 100 caps after a game against the All Blacks in Cape Town. He announced his retirement from international test rugby on 30 August 2008. In May 2009, he rejoined the Boks as a kicking consultant and confirmed his retirement as a player.