Blast from the past: Matfield takes his first steps in Springbok jersey

 

1928 — The Springboks and New Zealand play their first Test in SA, facing off in Durban. Bok winger Jack Slater scored the only try of the match, but with flyhalf great Bennie Osler on form with the boot, nailing two penalties and adding two drops, worth four points apiece in those days, the home side scored a comfortable 17-0 victory.

1973 — Nkosana “Happy Boy” Mgxaji wins the black version of the SA junior-lightweight crown, when he outpoints legendary Anthony “Blue Jaguar” Morodi over 12 rounds in the champion’s backyard at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto. Morodi had won their previous clash the year before, and the pair would fight twice more, with Mgxaji winning both...