1974 — Jody Scheckter becomes the first South African to win a world championship race when he edges his Tyrrell-Ford teammate Patrick Depallier of France by 0.38 sec to take the chequered flag at the Swedish Grand Prix in Anderstorp. Briton James Hunt was third. Scheckter’s father, Max, was at his golf club in East London when he heard the news, and bought 150 rounds of drinks celebrating the victory with his fellow golfers.
1984 — The Springboks wrap up a 2-0 series whitewash against England, beating them 35-9 in the second Test at Ellis Park. Danie Gerber scored three of SA’s six tries, with skipper Theuns Stofberg, Gerrie Sonnekus and flyhalf Errol Tobias going over for the other three. England failed to breach the Bok defence in 160 minutes of rugby.
2007 — Controversial loose forward Luke Watson and centre Waylon Murray make their international debuts as the Springboks beat Samoa 35-8 in a one-off Test at Ellis Park. SA scored five tries that day, with winger JP Pietersen dotting down for the first time in green and gold.
2009 — Roelof van der Merwe takes 2/14 as the Proteas edge New Zealand by one run in a T20 World match at Lord’s. Defending 128/7, SA restricted the Kiwis to 127/5.
2012 — Morne Steyn scores 17 points, including one try, as the Springboks beat England 22-17 in Durban in the first Test of a three-match series. Captain Jean de Villiers scored SA’s other try.
2012 — Bafana Bafana are held to a 1-1 draw by Botswana in a World Cup qualifier in Gaborone. Morgan Gould put SA ahead in the 15th minute, but Ofentse Nato equalised for the home side in the 38th minute.
2018 — Siya Kolisi becomes the first black Springbok captain in fine style as he leads his team to a dramatic 42-39 come-from-behind victory over England in the first Test at Ellis Park. Trailing 3-24 at one point in the first half, SA bounced back for a 29-27 lead at the break. Right-wing Sbu Nkosi crossed over twice and fellow debutant Aphiwe Dyantyi on the other wing also scored a try. With both sides scoring five tries, the difference came down to the kicking, with flyhalf Handré Pollard landing three penalties to England’s two.
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