Blast from the past: Mitchell tames Tony ‘The Tiger’ Lopez in Sacramento

Today in SA sports history: September 13

1924 — Flyhalf Bill Cunningham scores a try as the Springboks draw the third Test against Great Britain 3-3 at Crusader’s in Port Elizabeth, but the result still secures SA the four-match series, giving the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead.

1975 — Pierre Fourie fails in his fourth and final bid to win the world light-heavyweight title when he loses a split decision to WBA holder Victor Galindez of Argentina at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg. Fourie had lost previously to Galindez and twice to Bob Foster. On the same bill, Mike Schutte won the SA heavyweight title, on his third attempt, beating champion Jimmy Richards on points over 12 rounds. Schutte had been stopped in his first attempt by Richards in 1974, and lost on points to Richards in the rematch in early 1975.

1991 — Brian Mitchell wins his second world title when he outpoints IBF junior-lightweight champion Tony Lopez in a rematch in Sacramento, California. Mitchell, who had fought to a controversial draw with Lopez in their previous outing several months earlier, had relinquished his WBA title to take this shot. Lopez failed to make the weight limit, but this was overlooked to avoid the bout losing its title status and losing Mitchell his shot to become SA’s first two-time world champion.

2002 — The Proteas edge the West Indies by two wickets in an ICC Champions Trophy thriller in Colombo. Chasing 239 from 49 overs, Jonty Rhodes made 61 and Boeta Dippenaar 53. But the match came down to a dramatic final over from which SA needed 13 runs. Shaun Pollock hit a six and then two before falling to Mervyn Dillon. Lance Klusener struck two and then got out on the penultimate delivery. Then Dillon’s final ball was wide, with Nicky Boje and Alan Dawson running an extra single to tie the scores. Dawson hit the final ball for four to clinch the match. 

2008 — Cassius Baloyi wins the first defence in his second reign as IBF junior-lightweight champion, stopping Javier Osvaldo Alverez in the third round at Emperors Palace.

2014 — Winger Cornal Hendricks scores SA’s lone try as the Springboks go down 10-14 to the All Blacks in a Rugby Championship clash in Wellington.