Springbok wing Bryan Habana made headlines during the 2007 Rugby World Cup semifinal at the Stade de France in Paris, scoring two tries as South Africa cruised past Argentina 37-13 to book their place in the final. Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez also crossed the line after a brilliant performance, while eighthman Danie Rossouw added another try to secure the dominant victory.
The match remains one of the most memorable moments in Springbok history, with Habana’s pace and precision proving unstoppable as Argentina’s Horacio Agulla failed to prevent his crucial scores.
Other notable moments in South African sports history on this day include:
1902 — The first-ever Test match between South Africa and Australia, played at Old Wanderers, ends in a draw. It marks the first time South Africa avoids defeat in a cricket match, breaking an eight-match losing streak against England from 1889 to 1899.
1995 — Andrew Hudson scores 135 runs as South Africa post 346 in their first innings against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test in Harare. Brian McMillan remains unbeaten on 98, while Allan Donald takes 11 wickets for 113 runs across both innings.
2001 — The Proteas beat Kenya by nine wickets in a triangular ODI tournament in Kimberley, with strong performances from Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, and Lance Klusener.
2010 — The South African women’s cricket team is bowled out for 98 in a T20 Challenge match against the West Indies in Potchefstroom, losing by six wickets. Later that day, they defeat the Netherlands by 115 runs, with Shandre Fritz scoring an unbeaten 116 — the first T20 century by a South African woman — and Trisha Chetty adding 55.
2010 — Surfer Jordy Smith finishes second to American legend Kelly Slater in the Rip Curl Pro Portugal final, setting himself up to finish second overall on the world tour.
2013 — Hashim Amla scores an unbeaten 118 on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. However, he is dismissed the following day without adding to his total as South Africa are bowled out for 249.
2015 — Faf du Plessis top-scores with 51 as the Proteas are dismissed for 225 in the second ODI against India in Indore, losing by 22 runs. The result levels the five-match series at 1-1.
2019 — Marizanne Kapp leads with both bat and ball as South Africa’s women fall short by six runs in the third ODI against India in Vadodara. Kapp scores 29 runs and takes 3/20.
2023 — Laura Wolvaardt scores 53 to lift the South African women to 172/4, but New Zealand chase the target successfully, winning the fourth T20 at Benoni by eight wickets.
From historic cricket milestones to iconic rugby triumphs and achievements in women’s sport, October 14 continues to hold a special place in South Africa’s sporting history.
