Today in SA sports history: July 20
1924 — Willie Smith keeps the Olympic bantamweight crown in SA hands as he beats American Salvatore Tripoli in the final of the Paris Games. Countryman Clarence Walker had won the same title four years earlier. As a professional Smith went on to win British recognition of the world bantamweight title to become SA’s only Olympic boxing medallist to win any version of a world title.
1974 — Jody Scheckter wins his second F1 championship race, taking the British Grand Prix after leader Niki Lauda was forced into the pits late with tire trouble. Second-placed Emerson Fittipaldi of Brazil was more than 15 seconds behind and Jacky Ickx of Belgium a further 46 seconds back. Scheckter went on to finish the championship in third spot, 10 points behind triumphant Fittipaldi.
1996 — The Springboks take on the All Blacks for the first time since beating them in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. Fullback Andre Joubert scored the only try of the match at Lancaster Park in Christchurch, but it was the home team who emerged victorious, winning 15-11. Kiwi flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens kicked five penalties, while Joel Stransky added two for SA.
1996 — SA junior-lightweight champion Mthobeli Mhlophe is knocked out in the fifth round by American Angel Manfredy, the holder of the marginal WBU title.
2002 — The Springboks are overwhelmed by the All Blacks 20-41 in a Tri-Nations match in Wellington. The home team ran in five tries with SA replying with two, by fullback Werner Greeff and centre Marius Joubert.
2008 — AB de Villiers and Ashwell Prince resume their partnership and score 174 and 149 respectively, their contributions proving valuable as the Proteas go on to win the second Test against England in Leeds by 10 wickets. The win gave SA a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
2013 — Chasing 321 to beat Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Colombo, SA never get going, getting bowled out for 140, with Alviro Petersen and Robin Peterson top-scoring with 29 apiece. Kumar Sangakkara stroked 169 off 137 deliveries for the hosts.
2014 — Dale Steyn takes nine wickets in the match and Morne Morkel eight as the Proteas beat Sri Lanka by 153 runs in the first Test in Galle. Dean Elgar and JP Duminy scored centuries in SA’s first innings of 455/9 declared.
2019 — Flyhalf Elton Jantjies and lock Lood de Jager score two tries apiece as the Springboks beat Australia 35-17 in a Rugby Championship match in Johannesburg. Substitute scrumhalf Cobus Reinach scored SA's fifth try. The visitors managed only two.
