Friday, 3rd August 2007 at 5:22 pm

Monty hits the waves in Durban

Like, sometimes, bru, you just need a break from training, bru, and when there’s surf nearby, you’re like, super stoked… particularly if you look the part quite so effortlessly. He’s more familiar in green and gold than boardies and a rash vest, but Percy Montgomery, seen here using time off from Springbok training to test out the waves in Durban, appears quite comfortable with surf board in hand.

The Boks have had a couple of surfers in the past - former flanker Rob Louw has just come back from a surfing holiday in Mozambique (daughter Roxy, the face of Oakley, is a surfing prodigy herself), and former centre Robbie Fleck provides regular comic relief to passing spectators as he attempts to master the swell off his Kommetjie home.

It’s Monty, though, sea air ruffling the blonde highlights, who appears best suited to a life on the waves. There won’t be much of it in the near future, what with France to focus on, and post-World Cup there’s a return to Europe scheduled. But Feverpitcher reckons retirement will see the star fullback settle down somewhere coastal, the boots packed away, and the board taking centre stage. Look at the picture again, and tell us we’re wrong.