John Kirwan scoring a try in the 1987 World Cup final © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Serge Blanco | Michael Jones | Jack Kelaher | John Kirwan | Brian Lochore | John Solomon

Teams: Australia | Border Reivers | France | New Zealand

Grounds: Buffalo City Stadium | Eden Park | Kingsmead | Olen Park | Waverley Park

1987
New Zealand beat France 29-9 at Eden Park in Auckland to lift the inaugural Rugby World Cup in a one-sided match. France seemed tired from their exploits in winning an epic semi-final and the running spectacle many predicted failed to materialise, New Zealand fly-half Grant Fox repeatedly kicking for territory or points rather than use his backs. Michael Jones, captain David Kirk and John Kirwan all crossed for tries. Recalling the tournament, Serge Blanco said "it was like making love for the first time … nobody knew what to expect".

2009
The British & Irish Lions fell agonisingly short in the first Test against South Africa at Kings Park in Durban, losing 26-21 to the Springboks. The Lions were comprehensively outplayed by a heavyweight South African pack over the opening hour, with tries for skipper John Smit and openside flanker Heinrich Brussow. Tom Croft scored a try in either half for the Lions and scrum-half Mike Phillips scored a third for the tourists but it was not enough.

1971
All Blacks flanker Josh Kronfeld was born in Hastings, New Zealand. Kronfeld was an expert at winning the ball at the breakdown and went on to win 54 Test caps and played for the All Blacks in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups.

1928
The All Blacks scored five tries - two by Freddie Lucas - on their way to beating the Western Transvaal 19-8 at Potchefstroom.

1933
Jockey Kelaher was the first Australian to score a hat-trick of tries on the African continent. His scores came in Australia's 24-5 win against Rhodesia in Salisbury.

1953
John Solomon's Wallabies opened their 27-match tour of South Africa with a 15-14 defeat by Natal at the Kingsmead Ground in Natal. Roy McLean, a South African Test cricketer, dropped a goal for the home side.

1980
Italian hooker Carlo Festuccia was born in L'Aquila, Italy. Festuccia has won 47 caps for the Azzurri. In 2009 he was granted compassionate leave from the Italian squad to face Australia and New Zealand on tour in order to aid in the effort following a devastating earthquake in his home region.

2009
The All Blacks won their second Test with France 14-10 but lost the silverware in a titanic arm-wrestle at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. An improved New Zealand forward effort proved the difference in a contest spoiled as a spectacle by freezing conditions and constant rain but the tourists claimed the Dave Gallaher Cup thanks to their 27-22 upset win in Dunedin the previous week.

1959
Ron Dawson's Lions opened the New Zealand leg of their visit by running up a then record score by a tour side on New Zealand soil, winning 52-12 against Hawke's Bay at Napier.

1970 Brian Lochore's All Blacks began their tour of South Africa with a 28-3 win against Border in East London; the tourists scored seven tries and conceded none.