A MARRIED couple have appeared in court charged in connection with the murder of former Burnley rugby captain Fred Picton-Turbervill.

Husband and wife Lucky Ntuli, 36, and Synthia Ntuli, 35, were originally arrested soon after Mr Picton-Turbervill's death last month but have now been charged with handling stolen goods.

But they could now face charges in relation to the murder, which happened at Mr Piction-Turbervill's home in South Africa.

The couple, from Mozam-bique, appeared with co-accused Petro Morkel, 27, Rasel Thembe, 18 and Thokozane Nhlapo, 23, who are all also from the country.

The three are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking with intent to rob, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The Ntulis have appeared at Tembisa Magistrates Court for possession of suspected stolen goods. The goods were allegedly those stolen from Picton-Tubervill's home.

South African prosecutors will now decide if the couple will face additional charges after their case was postponed until April 7 for the Ntulis to obtain legal aid and for the charge sheet to be finalised.

Mr Picton-Turbervill, 46, was shot in the head in front of his wife and children on January 5 when two gunmen burst into his luxury home in Pretoria.

He died in hospital a few hours after the attack.

Dad-of-five Mr Picton-Turbervill, had emigrated to South Africa three years ago with his wife Ursula, 41, and four of his children after running his own successful furniture design business - D'Uberville in Burnley.

Mr Picton-Turbervill had captained Burnley Rugby Club first team, then known as Caldervale, from 1984 to 1986, and played as a centre for the team until 1992. He also lived in Colne and Barrowford and worked in the Ribble Valley.

His son Jamie, 21, who still lives in England where he is studying at university, was due to celebrate his 21st birthday on the day his dad was shot.

The two robbers fled with a laptop, four mobile phones, jewellery and about R1000, or £74, in cash.

The accused have not applied for bail and all five remain in custody.