South African rugby player Elton Jantzis was charged Monday with breaking a TV screen while returning home from a holiday in Turkey and damaging property and violating aviation laws after swearing to fellow passengers and crew members, prosecutors said.
The World Cup winner was arrested on Sunday when his flight landed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. He was released on bail on the same day and appeared in court on Monday. His case has been adjourned until next month.
Read more: Gold reveals ‘very raw’ phone calls to Trent Barrett
Read more: Darren Berry’s heartbreaking link with Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds
Read more: ‘Frightened’ F1 star wrecks iconic ex Nicki Lauda Ferrari
The 31-year-old Gentzis was behaving disobediently on the flight, said Prosecution spokesman Findi Majonandwane. He was arrested after the plane landed after crew members complained about his behavior.
Watch every game of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, ad-free, live and on-demand streaming only on Stan Sport. Sign up for your free seven day trial!
During the flight, Gentzis was ordered to break a glass that had cut off his arm and return to his seat in the business class area, Majonandwane said. He then turned off the TV and a light.
Gentzis was a member of the Springbox winning Rugby World Cup squad in Japan in 2019, when he was a backup for Hendre Pollard’s Flyhoff.
His agent, James Adams, said in a statement on Sunday that a light had broken on the plane but that the incident had been “unnecessarily” improved on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Johannesburg.
“Our clients, however, are consistent with the investigation process,” Adams said.
Gentzis was on a week-long vacation with his family. He was returning home alone when they were in Turkey, Adams said.
To get a daily dose of the best breaking news and exclusive content from the Wide World of Sports, click here to subscribe to our newsletter!
