September 4 down the years
Wallabies cling on to win classic
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Kurtley Beale celebrates his match-winning penalty, South Africa v Australia, Tri-Nations, Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, South Africa, September 4, 2010
Australia's Kurtley Beale celebrates booting the Wallabies to victory against the Springboks on this day in 2010 © Getty Images
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2010
Australia held their nerve to win a classic Tri-Nations battle with South Africa 41-39 at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, sealing the Mandela Challenge Plate in the process. Fullback Kurtley Beale landed a monster 55-metre penalty with the last kick of the game to secure the Wallabies' first win on the high veldt since 1963, having seen a 31-13 half-time advantage wiped out by a fired-up Springbok fightback in the second period. The visitors, who had slumped to defeat in Pretoria the previous weekend after a similarly quick start, scored five tries to the hosts' three, with Beale, James O'Connor, Stephen Moore, Rocky Elsom and Drew Mitchell all breaching the South African defence. The bonus-point was wrapped up before 25 minutes had passed but from there on in it was a South African onslaught, with Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers and Gurthro Steenkamp scoring tries with the boot of Morne Steyn landing 24 points.

2012
Warren Gatland was unveiled as the coach for the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. "There is no question it will be one hell of a challenge," he said. "Playing in the southern hemisphere is one of rugby's hardest challenges. The Lions came close in South Africa and our ambition is to win the series in 2013, and I believe we have the players to do that." And that he did, steering the Lions to a 2-1 victory.

1965
The Springboks kept their four-Test series with the All Blacks alive courtesy of a dramatic 19-16 victory in Christchurch. With the game tied and just seconds remaining, South Africa lock Tiny Naude stepped up to land a penalty which silenced the home fans. However, the All Blacks were not be denied their series win as they routed the Boks 20-3 in Auckland a fortnight later.

1965
The Springboks kept their four-Test series with the All Blacks alive courtesy of a dramatic 19-16 victory in Christchurch. With the game tied and just seconds remaining, South Africa lock Tiny Naude stepped up to land a penalty which silenced the home fans. However, the All Blacks were not be denied their series win as they routed the Boks 20-3 in Auckland a fortnight later.

1968
Wales became the first Home Union to tour South America when they sent a 23-man squad skippered by John Dawes to Argentina for a short six match tour.

1949
Barry Holmes lined out for the country of his birth, Argentina, in their 12-3 defeat by France in Buenos Aires, just a few short months after representing England in the Five Nations. The fullback remains the only player to have represented both countries.

1967
Wales star and ITV news presenter Dewi Bebb announced his retirement from rugby live on television while hosting his regional news programme. He played in 34 internationals for Wales and represented the Lions on nine occasions.

1976
South Africa moved 2-1 up in their four-Test series with New Zealand courtesy of a hard-fought 15-10 win over the Kiwis in Cape Town. The Springboks completed the job by edging out the All Blacks 15-14 in a dramatic game in Johannesburg two weeks later.

1991
Wales were beaten 22-9 by France in the first game played under the recently-installed floodlights at Cardiff's National Stadium. Garin Jenkins and Jean-Luc Sadourny both made their Test debuts in the game in the Welsh capital.

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