July 31 down the years
Welsh duo inspire Lions victory
Gareth Edwards fends off Bob Burgess during the Lions' 13-3 win © Peter Bush/Otago Museum
1971
Welsh duo Barry John and Gareth Edwards masterminded a 13-3 victory over New Zealand to put the Lions 2-1 up with one Test to play. In three match in Wellington John had scored 50 points, taking his tour tally to 167 points. "Etched indelibly on everyone's memory is the performance of Edwards," wrote the Daily Mirror. "Due to his guile the Lions were 13 points up inside 18 minutes and never looked back."
1982
David Campese made a confident senior debut for the Wallabies, scoring a try, two conversions and a penalty goal in the Australians' 26-10 tour win against Manawatu at Palmerston North.
1965
In Wellington, the Battle of the Giants saw New Zealand triumph 6-3 over South Africa in the opening Test of their four-match series. Bill Birtwistle and Kel Tremain scored tries for the home side; Keith Oxlee dropped a goal for the 'Boks.
1971
A rare trouble-free day on their tour as South Africa beat Australia 14-6 to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series. In only his fourth match, Springbok scrum-half Joggie Viljoen scored a try in each half, the first a 20-yard solo dash.
1956
In the last match before their crucial second Test against New Zealand, the Springboks boosted their confidence with a 19-8 victory over Wairarap/Bush at Masterton. Skipper "Basie" Viviers, though struggling with injury, kicked three goals for the tourists.
1908
The SS Victoria carrying the Anglo-Welsh team arrived from Auckland in Sydney where the team began their nine-match tour of Australia.
1937
The second Springboks to tour New Zealand maintained their winning record, beating Taranaki 17-3 in the third match of their visit.
© Scrum.com
1. Max Verstappen ()
