Blast from the past: Boks edge past Ireland in Dublin

Today in SA sports history: December 17

1960 — Centre John Gainsford and flanker Hugo van Zyl score tries as the Springboks beat Ireland 8-3 at Lansdowne Road in Dublin in the second Test of their end-of-year tour. Scrumhalf Dick Lockyear added one conversion.

1997 — A brave Bafana Bafana, needing to beat Uruguay by five goals to advance to the Confederations Cup semifinals, go down fighting as they lose a 3-4 thriller in Riyadh. Captain Lucas Radebe put them 1-0 up, but the South Americans hit back with three goals before Helman Mkhalele and substitute Pollen Ndlanya equalised in the 70th and 77th minutes. SA could have won, but efforts from Mark Williams, Eric Tinkler and John “Shoes” Moshoeu hit the post and an attempt by Phil Masinga hit the crossbar. Christian Callejas scored Uruguay’s winner in the dying moments of the game...