A former South African rugby player accused of three murders has a history of mental health problems, a court was told.

Joseph Ntshongwana, 34, a former player for the Barbarians and Blue Bulls, allegedly killed three people with an axe in the eastern South African city of Durban last week.

In court . . . Joseph Ntshongwana playing for the Bulls in 2000. Credit:Getty Images

He allegedly decapitated one of his victims, South African website news24.com reported, dumping the man's head in a bin in an industrial precinct.

Ntshongwana's lawyer, J.P. Broster, told a magistrates court he would apply for his client to undergo psychological observation under a section of law that determines whether a person is fit to stand trial.