Blast from the past: Birkett captures world K1 marathon crown

Today in SA sports history: September 8

1952 — Jake Tuli wins the Commonwealth flyweight crown as he stops experienced Teddy Gardner in the 12th round of their bout in Newcastle, England. The South African was engaging in only his 11th professional bout and in his first in Britain. Gardner, a veteran of 65 fights by then, quit afterwards. 

1973 — Nineteen-year-old dental mechanic student Judy Witter becomes the first woman to win an open national motor championship, wrapping up the Formula Vee championship at the Brandkop circuit outside Bloemfontein with three rounds remaining. But it was not without controversy. Earlier in the season she endured accusations of cheating by rivals, who claimed she was using an illegally modified engine. Her car was examined by officials and found to be above board. After the Brandkop race the top six cars were impounded, including hers. Witter’s was deemed legal, but the cars of four rivals were illegal and they were disqualified, knocking them out of contention for the series.

1998 — Mpush Makambi could blow hot and cold, but he was impressive as he stopped Adrian Dodson for the IBO middleweight title in the 11th round in London.

2009 - A soccer team none too slick, went down in the town of Limerick ... Bafana Bafana lose their sixth international on the trot, going down 0-1 to the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in Limerick. And that’s no joke

2012 — JP Duminy scores an unbeaten 47 from 54 balls and Jacques Kallis 48 not out to guide the Proteas to a seven-wicket win over England in the first T20 in Chester-le-Street. SA restricted the hosts to 118/7.

2012 — Bryan Habana scores SA’s only try, but the Springboks are outduelled 19-26 by Australia in a Rugby Championship match in Perth.

2018 — Andy Birkett wins the men’s K1 marathon crown at the ICF Canoe World Championships in Prada Vila Verde, Portugal, finishing the 29.8km course in 2hr 09 min 29.06 sec, 1.79 sec ahead Hungarian Adrián Boros. Countryman Jasper Mocke was third in 2:09:33.04. 

2018 — The Springboks fail to score any points in the second half as they go down 18-23 to Australia in a Rugby Championship match in Brisbane. Wing Makazole Mapimpi and hooker Bongi Mbonambi scored tries for SA.