Hashim Amla Proteas

Hashim Amla of South Africa celebrates reaching his double century during day four of the 1st Investec Test match between England and South Africa at The Kia Oval on July 22, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

On this day in South African sport history: 22 July

On this day in South African sports history, 22 July, Hashim Amla put England to the sword at the Oval and the Springboks suffered a famous loss.

Hashim Amla Proteas

Hashim Amla of South Africa celebrates reaching his double century during day four of the 1st Investec Test match between England and South Africa at The Kia Oval on July 22, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

On this 203rd day of 2019, we look back at some of the most significant moments in South African sports history to take place on 22 July.

The day falls close to the modern end-dates for the Open Championship and as such features some achievements coming in pursuit of the Claret Jug, but there were also happenings in the worlds of rugby and cricket.

On this day – 22 July

1933 – The Springboks suffer their first-ever defeat to Australia at Kings Park in Durban losing 6-21. The Boks would go on to win the inaugural series between the two sides 3-2. The Test was only the second played between the two nations, the first came two weeks earlier in Cape Town.

1962 – Gary Player wins the USPGA Championship by one stroke from Bob Goalby at the Aronimink Golf Club. Player became the first golfer not residing in the USA to win the major. His 22 July triumph was his third major.

On this day 22 July
Aronimink GC, Pennsylvania: Gary Player clowns as he’s asked to “kiss the trophy”, after winning the PGA Championship here, 22 July. Phot: Getty

1981 – The annual meeting of the International Cricket Conference in London decides not to accept South Africa’s application for readmission. An ICC mission that visited South Africa had reported that multi-racial cricket now existed in the country at all levels.

2012 – Ernie Els wins his 2nd Claret Jug, 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Adam Scott of Australia. Els’ second British Open title was his fourth major win. He is one of just six golfers to twice win both the U.S. Open and The Open Championship.

On this day 22 July
Ernie Els of South Africa poses with the Claret Jug after winning the 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club on 22 July 2012 in Lytham St Annes, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

2012 – Hashim Amla scored 311 not out in the Proteas’ innings and 12 run 1st Test win over England at The Oval; He was the first South African to score a triple-century in Test cricket and is to date the only man from SA to cross the landmark.

On this day 22 July
Hashim Amla of South Africa celebrates reaching his triple century during day four of the 1st Investec Test match between England and South Africa at The Kia Oval on July 22, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

2017 – South African golfer Branden Grace records lowest round for a men’s major championship – 62 in 3rd round at British Open, Royal Birkdale, England.