Joseph Ntshongwana, 33, who played for the Blue Bulls Super 15 side, is accused of a rampage in townships of Lamontville and Umbilo near his home in Durban.
He is charged with with three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one of assault with intention to commit grievous bodily harm.
He was not required to make a plea.
Fallen star: Former pro rugby player Joseph Ntshongwana has appeared in court charged with three counts or mufder with an axe in townships near his home in Durban
The prosecution claims to have discovered a 16-inch axe and items of bloodied clothing in a car near Mr Ntshongwana's home.
The former Springbok Under-21s initially claimed the killings were carried out in revenge after his daughter was gang-raped and infected with HIV, South African newspapers reported.
Narrow escape: Siyanda Khumalo revealed how he managed to run from the axe murderer
However, police say he does not have a daughter.
The six-foot flanker, a committed Christian, was arrested on Tuesday.
Ntshongwana's counsel, JP Broster, told the court he would make an application under Section 77 of the Criminal Procedure Act because his client was not mentally fit to stand trial.
He is believed to suffer from bipolar disorder.
The well-built star, who was born in Umtata, in Eastern Cape province, has also listed himself as single on the official South African rugby website and in his in a profile on Facebook which appears to be his.
On the social networking site he can be seen cheerily posting message throughout last week and up until just 12 hours before his arrest.
In one message posted on Saturday - almost a week after the grisly murder spree began - the star congratulates his former rugby team-mates for a good performance, and writes 'Well done Blue Bulls'.
The same day he applauds South Africa's national football side for their victory over Egypt by posting 'Bafana Bafana U made my day'.
His last posting was added at 2.16pm on Tuesday - around 11 hours before his arrest.
In one comment posted last May he wrote: 'The word of God is alive in me. My life is an unending flow of success, favour and grace.
'I walk in boldness and refuse to give up the success, favour, prosperity and divine health which is available to me in Christ.
Ntshongwana's home is in a luxurious area of Durban
'I declare that fear is disabled from my life and the works of the devil are paralysed in and around my sphere of contact in Jesus Name, Amen.' In another posting added a few days previously he wrote: 'Whoever lives in love lives in God , and God in them.' Today figures from the world of rugby expressed shock at the star's arrest.
Eric Sauls, head coach at Ntshongwana's former team the Eagles, said the player was an unlikely axe murderer.
In an interview with South Africa's Beeld newspaper he said: 'If the allegations are true, it would be shocking. He is someone of good character.
'He is not the kind of person who would want to have a run-in with the law.'
The attacks have been classified as serial killings and police will continue to look for more bodies.
The decaptitated victim has been named as Paulos Hlongwa, 46, who was completely decapitated.
Police said the KFC security guard's head was found dumped in a dustbin in a separate suburb more than a mile away from his body.
Student Siyanda Khumalo, 19, described how he manage to run away when a man swung at him with an axe last Monday in the Umlazi area of Durban.
Ntshongwana was remanded in custody until April 7.
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