1912 — The Springboks field 10 debutants and register their first win over Scotland, beating them 16-0 in Inverleith. The two debutant wings scored tries on the day, two by Jan Stegmann and the third by Boetie McHardy, who had competed at SA’s Olympic track and field trials in 1910. Legendary forward Boy Morkel, one of four Morkels in the team that day, scored SA’s fourth try. Another forward Morkel, Dougie, landed one conversion and fullback Gerhard Morkel landed a second conversion.
1974 — Wing Willem Stapelberg scores SA’s only try on debut as the Springboks beat France 13-4 in the first Test in Toulouse. The visitors landed three penalties, two by flyhalf Gerald Bosch and one by the other wing, Tossie Fourie.
1996 — South Africa collapse to 105 all out on the fourth day to lose the first Test against India in Ahmedabad by 64 runs. Captain Hansie Cronje top-scored with an unbeaten 48 in an innings that equalled Test cricket’s record for most ducks (6) in an innings alongside Pakistan from 1980 (Bangladesh, 3, New Zealand and India have since joined the list). The ducks included top-order batsmen Andrew Hudson and Daryll Cullinan, who was batting at three, as well as middle-order star Jonty Rhodes and Pat Symcox, a bowler who could bat a bit. The other two were Fanie de Villiers and Paul Adams. Pace bowler Javagal Srinath did most of the damage, taking 6/21, with spinner Anil Kumble taking 3/34.
2002 — The Springboks suffer their heaviest defeat in history at that point, getting trounced 53-3 by England at Twickenham. A lone penalty by flyhalf Andre Pretorius was all SA could manage against the home team, who scored seven tries. Lock Jannes Labuschagne was red-carded for a late tackle on Jonny Wilkinson midway through the first half.
2007 — AB de Villiers scores an unbeaten 52 off 45 balls as the Proteas beat New Zealand by three wickets in a one-off T20 at the Wanderers. SA reached the 130-run target off the penultimate ball of the match.
2013 — Wing JP Pietersen scores an early try as the Springboks beat France 19-10 at Stade de France to complete their three-match end-of-year tour unbeaten.
2014 — Quinton de Kock scores 107 and Farhaan Behardien 63, but the SA total of 280/6 is not enough as they lose the final fifth ODI against Australia in Sydney by two wickets. The hosts won the match in the 48th over, though they had nervous moments, losing four wickets for three runs late in their innings. Australia won the series 4-1.
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