Today in SA sports history: April 11
1969 — In one of the most bizarre evenings in SA boxing, two fighters bite their opponents on the ear on the same card in Durban. First Mike Robertson chomped down on the ear of Spider Kelly in the main undercard bout and then Herby Clarke bit the shoulder of Arnold Taylor before moving north to the ear. Both bites caused bleeding. But Robertson was allowed to carry on fighting, getting stopped by Kelly in the eighth. Clarke, the SA lightweight champion, was disqualified. Taylor, the SA featherweight champion, relieved Clarke of the lightweight belt at the same venue a month later.
1970 — Arnold Taylor takes on Johnny Famechon, the reigning WBC featherweight champion at the Ellis Park tennis stadium in Johannesburg. Taylor loses to the Australian on points, but he wouldn’t lose again until after winning the WBA bantamweight title in 1973.
1992 — SA are soundly beaten by the West Indies in the second ODI in Port of Spain. The visitors are bowled out for 152 with Jonty Rhodes top-scoring with 45. The West Indies reach the target in the 26th over with Brian Lara not out on 86 and Desmond Haynes not out 59. The 10-wicket win ensures the West Indies clinch the three-match series with a game to spare.
1998 — Hansie Cronje is named man of the match as the Proteas beat Pakistan by three wickets in an ODI in East London. Cronje took 2/17 to help restrict the visitors to 250/8, and then scored 52 from 53 balls to help SA to victory with 22 balls remaining. Shaun Pollock scored 66 and Mike Rindel 64.
2000 — Hansie Cronje is sacked as Proteas cricket captain after admitting in a 3am phone call to then United Cricket Board CEO Ali Bacher that he had not been entirely honest in his denials about dealing with bookmakers. Later in the day he attended a press conference with sport minister Ngconde Balfour and Rhema church minister Ray McCauley, but he didn’t speak. In a prepared statement he admitted to having had discussions with bookmakers, but denied ever throwing a game.
2001 — Tragedy strikes SA soccer as 43 fans die in a crush to get into the Premier Soccer League match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.