Veteran fullback Percy Montgomery has had a rollercoaster ride in his 10-year international career. More so than most, the enigmatic Bok number 15 has enjoyed plenty of high moments during his time in the green and gold, but he has also had to endure a fair number of lows as well.

So as Monty approaches a century of Test matches for South Africa we remember how he got there — the good and the bad!

THE HIGHS...

Springboks vs Australia, Loftus Versfeld, 1997:

It still the Springboks' biggest win over the Australians and to this day the only time a team has scored more than 60 points in a Tri-Nations Test. But the Boks 61-22 drubbing of the Wallabies at Loftus also signalled the arrival of one Percy Montgomery. Monty, playing at outside centre, ran in two tries and was a constant threat to the Wallaby defence – it was his best game for the team since making his debut earlier in the year, and went some way in silencing his many critics at the time. It was a fantastic result, but while it saved Monty it did not save then Bok coach Carel du Plessis.

The Springoks' record run, 1997-1998:

When Nick Mallett took over as coach of the Boks he moved Montgomery to his preferred position of fullback, and it was there that the enigmatic youngster found his feet as an international rugby player. His game went from strength to strength and he formed part of a core group of player who would go on to equal the All Blacks record run of consecutive Test victories.

Tri-Nations 2004:

After three long seasons in the international wilderness, Montgomery was handed a lifeline by new coach Jake White. The recall of the erratic fullback was greeted with some displeasure, most notably by those up north, but the questions over Monty's abilities began to quieten down after his first game back in the green and gold. The veteran number 15 had returned from his stint in Wales — with Newport — with an unerring kicking boot and a rock-solid defence. Once shaky under the high-ball, Monty was now the picture of calm, his positional play second to none. By the end of the Tri-Nations series Monty was the tournament's top scorer and had helped guide the Boks to a tournament victory. Even the questions up north had begun to fade away...

The World Cup Final, 2007:

Perhaps Monty's finest hour came at Stade de France in October 2007. Facing up to England in the World Cup Final the Boks had the chance to not only win the game's biggest showpiece, but in the process, ratify the decision made by coach Jake White. The veteran fullback was almost robbed of his moment when England back Toby Flood flung him into the television cameras behind the goal-line, but the former Stormers star shrugged off the blow and went on to kick the Boks to victory — 10 years after making his debut for South Africa. That Montgomery was the chief goal-kicker was not lost on the pundits...

Springboks vs All Blacks, Dunedin, 2008:

Montgomery was ousted from the starting line-up for the first Test of the Tri-Nations in favour of the in-form Conrad Jantjes, but the veteran's calm at the back was sorely missed. He was recalled for the follow-up match in Dunedin, the notorious 'House of Pain', a venue at which the Springboks had never won before. Monty, albeit lacking some of his earlier pace, guided the back three with aplomb and played a big part in holding off the All Blacks in the dying minutes. The Boks won 30-28 and ended not only their drought at Carisbrook, but secured their first win in New Zealand for 10 years.

AND THE LOWS...

Springboks vs British and Irish Lions, King's Park, 1997:

When the Boks went down in the first Test to the Lions, a young Percy Montgomery was plucked from relative obscurity and thrown into the mix at centre. It was, however, a debut that Monty would like to forget. The Boks lost the Test at King's Park, and with it the series, despite winning the third and final Test. Monty shouldered much of the blame for the defeat after his boot deserted him.

The Western Stormers, 1998 Super 12:

1998 was the first time the public set their eyes on the Western Stormers, after South Africa adopted a similar system to that of New Zealand's and Australia's, creating four new provincial sides, and abolishing qualification through the Currie Cup. Thus the Western Stormers were born. But the team, including Monty, did not impress, managing to win just three games all season. And then, of course, there were those damn ugly jerseys...

Springboks vs All Blacks, Loftus Versfeld, 1999:

Monty never enjoyed a great relationship with the fans up in Pretoria, but when the Boks faced the All Blacks at Loftus in 1999, that relationship took a turn for the worse. The majority of the conservative fans in the area had never taken to Monty's signature white boots and bleached blonde hair, and after growing tired of his erratic performance for the Boks, they let him know it. Boos followed the Bok fullback wherever he went. When he touched the ball, he was booed, when he was caught on camera, he was booed... The South Africans eventually went down 34-18, but it was the behaviour of the crowd that will always be remembered. A dark day not just for the player, but for SA rugby...

Springboks vs All Blacks, Cape Town, 2001:

When the Boks went down 12-3 to the All Blacks in Cape Town in 2001 it was again Montgomery who shouldered much of the blame. The fullback, who had been an ever-present in the side since 1997, missed three kicks at goal and was subsequently axed from the side in favour on Conrad Jantjes. While Monty was a favourite of both Carel du Plessis and Nick Mallett, it was clear that new coach Harry Viljoen was not his biggest fan. The Viljoen era marked the beginning of the end for Monty — or so it seemed at the time.

Newport vs Swansea, May, 2003:

Monty has always been known for his laidback attitude, which made the incident in 2003 even more bizarre. While turning out for Newport in a fiery Welsh Premiership match against Swansea, Monty was sent off for shoving over one of the touch judges. The veteran back faced anything from a two-year to a lifetime ban from the game. In the end Monty was slapped with a two-year ban — with 18 months eventually suspended. The former Western Province and Stormers star was at the time said to be in line for a shock World Cup call-up, but the ban effectively ended any of that, which in hindsight was probably a good thing for Monty.

  • What are your most memorable Monty moments? Leave a comment below!


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