1912 — Winger Boetie McHardy becomes the first Springbok to score a hat-trick of tries as South Africa thump Ireland 38-0 at Lansdowne Road. He dotted down for his third try early in the second half, and before the end of the match the other wing, Jan Stegmann, became the second Bok hat-tricker. SA ran in 10 tries in all, with centre Jacky Morkel crossing for two. The visitors were so dominant that when Ireland finally got to the SA 25-yard line the crowd gave an ironical cheer.
1974 — Wing Willem Stapelberg breaks through three tackles to score SA’s only try as the Springboks edge two-try France 10-8 in a nail-biting second Test at Parc des Princes to take the series 2-0. Centre Claude Dourthe went over for the hosts’ second try in injury time, but replacement flyhalf Jean-Pierre Romeu’s conversion attempt to draw the match shaved the posts.
1985 — Lionel Hunter is beaten in his only shot at a professional boxing title, losing on a split decision to Transvaal light-heavyweight champion Sakkie Horn at the Portuguese Hall in Johannesburg. Hunter retired in 1986 and went on to carve out a career as one of the best bouncers in Johannesburg. In his most famous fight in 1992, he knocked out bodybuilding bad boy Gary Beuthin, who ended up as a career criminal.
1992 — SA and India play to a draw in the second cricket Test at the Wanderers. Sachin Tendulkar effectively saved the match for the visitors by scoring 111 in India’s first innings of 227.
1994 — Bafana Bafana play to goalless draw against Ivory Coast in a Four-Nations match at the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
1996 — Fullback Andre Joubert and wing James Small score tries as the Springboks beat France 22-12 in Bordeaux. Flyhalf Henry Honiball kicked four penalties.
1998 — Jacques Kallis scores an unbeaten 57 as the Proteas, chasing 164 for victory, battle to a four-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first Test at the Wanderers. Shaun Pollock took 9/103 in the match, taking 5/54 in the first innings.
2005 — The Proteas are outplayed by New Zealand in the second ODI at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, going down by seven wickets after a poor batting display. Shaun Pollock’s 52 and a 48 by Mark Boucher pushed SA to a total of 209/9. The visitors reached the target in the 39th over to level the three-match series at 1-1.
2013 — Vernon Philander takes 3/26 as the Proteas beat Pakistan by four wickets in the final third ODI at Centurion. SA chased down the 180-run target in the 39th over, AB de Villiers making 48. The visitors won the series 2-1.
2014 — Bafana Bafana beat Ivory Coast 2-0 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Bongani Zungu and David Zulu scored the goals for the home side to stretch coach Shakes Mashaba’s unbeaten run with the team to seven matches.
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.