October 24 down the years
Jannie steals the show
Scrum.com
Springbok fly-half Jannie De Beer slots one of his five drop goals against England, South Africa v England, World Cup, Stade de France, October 24 1999
Jannie de Beer was on deadly form on this day in 1999 © Getty Images
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1999
The quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup produced a classic performance. South Africa fly-half Jannie de Beer set a world Test record that is never likely to be surpassed, dropping five goals for the Springboks in a 44-21 win over England in Paris. De Beer's five drops were accompanied in to the record books by five penalties and two conversions in a 34-point haul. The Boks' tries came courtesy of Pieter Rossouw and Joost van der Westhuizen. Paul Grayson slotted six penalties, with Jonny Wilkinson adding a seventh. Meanwhile, New Zealand cruised past Scotland at Murrayfield. Their 30-18 win was secured thanks to two tries from Tana Umaga, playing on the wing, and one apiece for his back-three partners Jeff Wilson and Jonah Lomu. In Dublin, France ended Argentina's involvement with a 46-27 win at Lansdowne Road. Xavier Garbajosa and Philippe Bernat-Salles scored braces, with Emile Ntamack completing a free-flowing victory.

2011
France captain Thierry Dusautoir was named the International Rugby Board's Player of the Year. The Toulouse flanker, who had been the outstanding performer in his country's Rugby World Cup final defeat by New Zealand, beat off competition from All Blacks trio Ma'a Nonu, Piri Weepu and Jerome Kaino, and Wallabies duo David Pocock and Will Genia to land the award. Legendary scrum-half Fabien Galthie had been the only Frenchman to have previously earned the accolade, in 2002.

1948
Phil Bennett was born in Felinfoel. The Welsh fly-half is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, slotting in to the Wales No. 10 jersey following the early retirement of Barry John and creating his own legend. He played eight Tests for the British & Irish Lions, as the fly-half of the 1974 'Invincibles' in South Africa and as captain of the 1977 tourists in New Zealand. Alongside Gareth Edwards in the great Wales side of the late 1970s he won Five Nations Grand Slams in 1976 and 1978, retiring from the international stage following the title-clinching win in Paris in 1978. In the colours of Llanelli he was also a hero, playing in their famous victory over the All Blacks in 1974.

1959
Oxford University routed United Services (Portsmouth) 38-5 at Iffley Road. The game was refereed by one Denis Thatcher, then a well-known London Society whistler, husband of future Prime Minister Margaret. He was a good enough official to be appointed as a touch judge for the France v England international in Paris in 1956.

1981
New Zealand struggled to beat Romania 14-6 in Bucharest in the first official Test match involving the nations.

1912
Newport became the first side to beat the Second Springboks, defeating Billy Millar's side 9-3 at Rodney Parade.

1936
Former British & Irish Lion Roy Jennings marked his 54th appearance for Cornwall with 15 points in the 18-0 County Championship win against West-Country rivals Somerset at Wellington.

1949
Coventry, one of the strongest clubs in England, announced the reintroduction of an old tradition. For the first time for 30 years the club was to award caps to players who had made 50 first XV appearances.

1970
The Fijians enjoyed their finest hour on their tour of England, beating a strong Barbarians side 29-9 at Gosforth, and it could have been far more convincing had six out of ten penalty attempts not been missed.

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