Christina Storm, the ex-girlfriend of the late Springbok James Small, has set the record straight on sensational reports of his death in 2019.
The model made the comments during an episode of the KykNET talk show Laataand by Rian, which aired this week.
The former couple, known for their tumultuous relationship, have a daughter, Ruby.
CHRISTINA STORM ON JAMES SMALL’S DEATH
In an episode of Laataand by Rian, Christina Storm spoke openly about her highly publicised relationship with the late James Small.
Storm crossed paths with Small – labelled the “bad boy of rugby” – during his career as a Springbok wing in the 90s.
The couple made headlines over their wild lifestyle, with allegations of domestic violence, infidelity and substance abuse.
When host Rian van Heerden asked her if the Bok had physically assaulted her, Storm responded: “We hit each other. We were young punks. I hurt him more than he hurt me. He was the only man who could look after me until the end.”
Storm claimed that they split after the birth of their daughter Ruby, and continued to co-parent “beautifully until the end”.
Christina Storm also touched on sensational headlines that James Small had died of a drug-induced heart attack in a strip club. Reports at the time claimed that the 50-year-old had been found naked
She said, “James had a heart attack. He was going to meet his girlfriend there. Call it a nightclub, call it whatever. But he was sitting there working on his laptop and ordered a drink. He was waiting for his long-term girlfriend, Julie, with whom he had a child. He had a heart attack, and as they tried to pick him up, his pants slipped down. He was not naked. How dare you? ‘Small dies naked in a nightclub’, and my child has to see that?!”
Storm added that the late star would “be the only love of my life, forever”.
SPIRALLING IN GRIEF
Christina Storm also shared how her life was affected by James Small’s death in 2019.
She said during the interview: “It was awful. It was such a massive loss for my child, and to see my child go through that pain – her father was her best friend. It changed me as a person. I started having panic attacks, and a month later, I ended up in rehab for depression and anxiety.”
The model, who has two more children with a new partner, also crashed her car while driving under the influence of alcohol. She had a month-long stint at an Alcoholics Anonymous programme.
She also made headlines a few years ago over concerns about her mental health after she made social media posts alluding to ending her life.
LIFE OF A SPRINGBOK WAG
Soon after news broke of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s separation from his wife, Rachel, in 2024, Christina Storm spoke of her own struggles dating James Small in the public eye.
Speaking to TimesLive, Storm claimed that the constant flirting of female fans with her partner took a toll on her.
She said, “It was as if I suddenly didn’t exist. We would be out for dinner, and women would flaunt themselves at James as if I wasn’t even there. His fans would send him the most disgusting faxes — they were relentless. Of course, the boys love that kind of attention, but for how long can you ignore it?”
Christina Storm’s interview on Laatand by Rian is available to watch on DStv Stream.
