Penguin SA

Following the Proteas’ disastrous innings defeat to England during the Boxing Day test in Durban, sportswriter Kevin McCallum is somewhat incredulous that, just one short year ago, South Africa’s test outfit was top o’ the world:

Was it really a year ago today that a nation was sitting over breakfast, listening to the radio, watching the telly and wondering if it was too early to crack open a beer? Was it really a year ago that Graeme Smith and his men ran down on to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, smiles as broad and as full of unexpected joy as the Great Barrier Reef, having become the first team to beat Australia at home since 1992-93?

Was it really a year ago that Morne Morkel ran across that vast ground to the other side of the field where the small group of South African fans were practically the only spectators left? Was it really a year ago that he high-fived and hugged them, then was joined by Makhaya Ntini to sign autographs until everyone had their personalised memento of that day?

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Book details

• The Penguin Book of South African Sports Trivia by David O’Sullivan, Kevin McCallum
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  EAN: 9780143025986
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