Springboks tame the 'Invincibles'
Lions flanker Fergus Slattery had a late try ruled out on this day in 1974
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1974
The British & Irish Lions remained unbeaten but lost their 100% winning record when they were held to a 13-13 draw at Johannesburg by the Springboks in the fourth Test and final game of a 22-match visit.
Referee Max Baise was the hero and villain for the Lions, allowing Roger Uttley's controversial try, the ball hadn't been grounded, before disallowing another for flanker Fergus Slattery in the dying seconds. Baise has admitted that his incorrect decision for Uttley's try was "the worst" of his career, while Slattery is constantly asked about what might have been.
"Days do pass without people mentioning it to me but not a week," he said. "He awarded a five yard scrum. The referee, Max Baise, ran in behind the goal line after (my) break from the 22 down the touchline. He was in the wrong place basically."
1903
Reg Skrimshire's dropped goal proved to be the the winning score for the Lions in a 7-5 verdict against East London, the tourists' fifth consecutive victory in nine days.
1908
There was a near-disaster late in the evening as the SS Victoria departed Auckland for Australia carrying the Anglo-Welsh team. Percy Down, the England forward, survived falling overboard after leaning over to say goodbye to a well-wisher. England centre Henry Vassall missed the boat after partying with lady-friends and sailed for Sydney the next day.
1910
Cape Colony inflicted a 19-0 defeat on the Lions in Kimberley. The result equalled the then record losing margin suffered by a touring side in South Africa.
1921
A hat-trick of tries by wing Bill Zeller set the Springboks on the way to an easy 33-3
victory against West Coast/Buller at Greymouth.
1965
The Springbok midweek team kept a clean sheet, winning 11-0 against West Coast/Buller at Greymouth in the last match before the Test series began.
1968
An All Black side packed with talent beat France, the reigning Grand Slam Five Nations champions, 9-3 in Wellington to go two up in the three-Test series.
2004
Legendary All Blacks wing Jonah Lomu underwent a kidney transplant. Following the operation the iconic wing was out of action until a return to the game with Cardiff Blues in 2005.
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