1912 — Dave Nourse scores 13 runs in the first Test against England at Lord’s, and his is the highest score in a dismal innings of 58 which remains SA’s lowest total at that ground. Nobody else made double figures. England, who didn’t make a bowling change after the innings ended in the 27th over, went on to win the match by an innings and 62 runs, bowling out SA for 217 in the second innings two days later.
1989 — Fransie Badenhorst becomes the first SA boxer to challenge for the IBF junior-featherweight crown, but the SA titleholder is stopped by world champion Fabrice Benichou of France in the fifth round of their bout in Frosinone, Italy. Welcome Ncita dethroned Benichou the following year, and Vuyani Bungu, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and Takalani Ndlovu and Jeffrey Mathebula later held the belt.
1995 — Chester Williams scores a record four tries as the Springboks down Samoa 42-14 in their World Cup quarterfinal at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Williams, a late inclusion after Pieter Hendricks had been booted out for fighting in the final group match against Canada, was the first SA player to dot down more than three times in a match. Hooker Chris Rossouw and lock Mark Andrews also went over, with Gavin Johnson, on the right wing, converting three tries and adding two penalties.
1997 — The Springboks rout Tonga 74-10 in a one-off Test in Cape Town, winger Andre Snyman scores three of SA’s 12 tries.
1999 — The Proteas shine at Edgbaston in Birmingham as they hammer New Zealand in their second Super Six match of the World Cup. Gary Kirsten (82) and Herschelle Gibbs (91) produced an opening partnership of 176, with a rampant Jacques Kallis (53 not out off 36 balls) helping to get the team to 287/5 in their 50 overs. The Kiwis replied with 213/8, captain Stephen Fleming top-scoring with 42. The win ensured SA a spot in the semifinals, with one more match to go against a struggling Australia.
2000 — Future Bok captain John Smit makes his debut as SA beat Canada 51-18 in East London.
2006 — The Springboks score four tries beating Scotland 36-16 in Durban to take a 1-0 lead in their two-match series. Fullback Percy Montgomery notched up 21 points, scoring one try, two conversions and four penalties.
2013 — Ryan McLaren takes four wickets as the Proteas beat Pakistan by 67 runs in their Champions Trophy contest in Birmingham. Hashim Amla scored 81 at the top of the order to help SA to 234/9 in their 50 overs.
2017 — Bafana Bafana beat Nigeria in a competitive match for the first time, downing them 2-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo. Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau scored the goals in the second half.
2017 — The Springboks score four tries as they outplay France 37-14 in Pretoria in the first Test of a three-match series.
2019 — When it rains it pours. Desperately needing a win at the World Cup, the Proteas’ hopes of gaining full points against the West Indies are washed away by the weather, with only seven-and-a-half overs bowled.
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