Former Newport and Dragons full-back Percy Montgomery, who won 102 caps for South Africa and helped them win the 2007 Rugby World Cup, has revealed how he nearly died in a car accident and now lives a completely different life selling tequila and beer.
The 52-year-old, regarded as one of the finest goal-kickers of the modern era, was involved in a horrific crash after attending a friend's 60th birthday party in Drakensburg. A mate fell asleep at the wheel of a car carrying Montgomery and two other people.
The vehicle veered off a dirt track and flipped into a cold river, landing with the passenger side — where Montgomery was sitting — underwater. He was momentarily stuck as he wrestled with his seatbelt.
Near-death experience
“I was the last one to get out of the car,” he told WalesOnline in 2022. “I was stuck with my seatbelt. All I said was: ‘Tell my daughter I love her’.
“I almost died and it was very traumatic. One of my friends broke their neck. It was crazy. Luckily we made it to a nearby farm.
“That’s why I feel very blessed to be where I am today and to help others is important. It gives you perspective about life. It brings you back down to earth.
“From the accident, I had anxiety and depression. It was a crazy few years.”
Life after rugby
These days, Montgomery’s life is a world away from kicking goals on the rugby field. He has devoted considerable time to charity, helping children living in poverty in South Africa’s townships access education, while he has also launched his own tequila brand and entered the beer business.
“When you finish playing, you can’t just sit back and do nothing,” he told WalesOnline. “You’ve got to give back to communities. You’ve got to raise money. It’s so important. We’re talking about putting food on the table for kids.”
Fan favourite and ban
During his time in Wales, Montgomery became a firm fan favourite at both Newport RFC and, following the advent of regional rugby in 2003, the Dragons.
Yet he is perhaps best remembered for an unsavoury incident that year, when he was banned for two years, with 18 months suspended, after pushing a referee during a match against Swansea; a punishment that cost him his place in South Africa’s 2003 Rugby World Cup squad.
“They just tried to make an example of me but I didn’t push anyone, trust me,” he told WalesOnline. “It was the biggest load of bulls**t. I got six months. We were winning 21-0 against Swansea, Stefan Terblanche was playing for them and it was a messy game.
“The referee wasn’t in control of the game, our second row Mike Voyle got a red card and they ended up having a man sent off as well.
“Anyway, the touch judge was walking past me and he basically bumped into me, slipped and fell over.
“He said that I’d pushed him and I said: ‘That’s crap, man, you slipped’. I was p***ed off.”
