Cape Town - Springbok Test centurion and Rugby World Cup winner, Percy Montgomery, won the inaugural General Tire LifeSaving South Africa Celebrity Challenge on the final day of the National Championships at Camps Bay.
Montgomery’s all-round ability on sand and in the surf triumphed against television personalities Siv Ngesi and Ewan Strydom (Expresso Show) and Team South Africa Paralympian Achmat Hassiem.
Montgomery officially took first after placing first in the Flags, second in the Beach Sprint and third in the Surf Swim.
Strydom was second, followed by Hassiem and Ngesi, who had the honour of cleaning up in the sprint.
Hassiem is closely associated to LifeSaving South Africa and his story is globally known for saving his brother’s life (while a Lifeguard) and in the process losing a leg and nearly his own life to a Great White Shark attack.
Hassiem has since become a celebrated international Paralympian and global inspiration and this week got to see his the brother whose life his saved (Tariq) win silver in the Beach Flags.
Montgomery, 43, is the first Springbok to play 100 Tests, won the 2007 World Cup and is the record points scorer in Springbok rugby history.
The Springbok legend donated half of his R20 000 winning prize to the South African Children’s home and the other half back to LifeSaving SA’s WaterSmart programme.