What a fabulous 24 hours for South African sport: Ernie Els storming home to win the British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes, and the Proteas hammering England by an innings and 12 runs at The Oval.
Obviously, every Australian sports fan wanted Adam Scott to win his first major, and he had the title by the throat until he strangled himself with bogies on the final four holes to lose by a shot to the “Big Easy”, when he birdied the last.
Having said that, nobody would begrudge the big South African his second British Open and fourth major. Els is without peer as the most popular and most revered golfer on the international circuit.
Els is a gentleman and a gentle man, never more underlined than when he was interviewed three times after his triumph and each time his first reaction was to say how sorry he felt for his good buddy and close friend Adam Scott.
In the cut-throat business of winning at the elite level, Els is a standout in every department.
The adulation from the massive crowds, averaging 31,000-plus a day, on their feet constantly applauding and cheering him, proof enough.
Els’ victory is all part of South Africa’s golfing resurgence, with four majors in the last 16: Trevor Immelman the 2008 Masters, Louis Oosterhuizen the 2110 Open, and Charl Schwartzel the 2011 Masters.
Only the Americans, with six wins in the same period, have performed better: Stewart Cink the 2009 Open, Lucas Glover the 2009 US Open, Phil Mickelson the 2010 Masters, Keegan Bradley the 2011 PGA, Bubba Watson the 2012 Masters, and Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Open.
The house full sign was up at The Oval when the world’s top-ranked Test side, England, took on the second-ranked South Africa. Nobody could possibly have expected what was in store.
Chasing England’s respectable 358, South Africa replied with a massive 2 (dec) for 637: Hamish Amla an unbeaten 311, Jacques Kallis 182 not out, and skipper Graeme Smith’s 131, in his 100th Test.
Smith joined an elite group to have scored a century in their 100th Test, with Colin Cowdrey (104 against Australia in 1968), Javed Miandad (145 against India in 1989), Gordon Greenidge (149 against England in 1990), Alec Stewart (105 against West Indies in 2000), Inzamam-ul Haq (184 against India in 2005), and Ricky Ponting, who scored a ton in each dig – 120 and 143* – for a double celebration against South Africa in 2006.
Amla’s 311* is the first triple hundred, and highest Test score ever by a South African, eclipsing AB de Villiers 278.
And the Smith-Amla 259 partnership, with the Amla-Kallis 347 unbeaten stand, are the first two 250-plus partnerships England has ever conceded in one innings.
So, arguably, this was the finest 24 hours in South African sport on two fronts, as compared to Australia’s three bitter disappointments – Scott’s meltdown, Mark Webber’s eighth finish at the German F1 Grand Prix to slip 34 points behind the winner and championship leader Fernando Alonzo, and defending Tour de France champion Cadel Evans right out of contention with over a week to go in the three-week epic.
Fingers crossed that pattern doesn’t hold for the London Olympics, and the inaugural Rugby Championship with the All Blacks, Boks, and Pumas.
mactheblack
Guest
I'm really glad that Kevin Pietersen who always had much to say about him leaving SA due to affirming players of colour and hence no opportunity, it must hurt. Well done Hashim . Though let's save the praises for when the series is over! SA have the knack of flattering to deceive. Brilliant showing by Proteas, but English were shockingly inept - both bowling and batting!
SandBox
Roar Guru
and Tom Watson said "A lot of guys who have never choked have never been in the position to do so.” For all the guys who are bagging Scott and Norman Overall in Oz sport - it's sad to be where we are, especially cricket and the golfing majors, but maybe it's a natural cycle. That 90's run will be hard to match.
swannies05
Roar Pro
Thank you Proteas for knocking off the Poms, there really is nothing better than seeing the Poms being towelled up. Also, David, couldn't agree more about Ernie being the most loved player on tour, he is a legend. Great article. Now let's hope the Proteas can back it up in the 2nd Test!!
Meh, same thing. ;)
Altus
Guest
It was actually " the more I practise the luckier I get"
Banger
Guest
In a comparison of both teams wickets and runs, it qualifies as the heaviest defeat in test match history
Gpr-SA
Guest
As a Saffer delighted with wins over the weekend, but no pleasure in seeing how Scott missed out. Great talent and awesome person. It's a pity in this case there has to be only one winner - so glad Ernie did us proud by being so gracious. Go Adam you will win a few majors yet, you have already won our hearts!
John Seabrook
Guest
Fair enough Biltongbek. He's known to be forthright. During the same session he made some comments about Mike Atherton & some other English players that were entertaining. Maybe not to Atherton & co though. He brings a bit of passion to the staid cricket scene that's for sure. Maybe we need more FdV.
Swampy
Guest
Is this a wake up call to Cricket Australia to focus on winning the next test series rather than looking ahead to the Ashes? Probably not so summer won't be much fun -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
John, Fanie was alluding to the fact that it didn't represent the whole South Africa. I doubt he wanted to be controversial.
It was Gary Player who said. "The more you play the luckier you get."
Bludger, no money mate, in SA little money is out into sporting codes that aren't main stream. You look at swimming and athletics, two sporting codes we will excell in if it wasn't for the lack of investment.
Bludger
Guest
You would think South Africa would do exceptionally well in the shooting too. Don't the British Army send their doctors down there because there is more gun shot wounds than you get in most theatres of war.
John Seabrook
Guest
Can't question SA's sporting successes, but I was a bit surprised (not shocked), by some commentary I heard on ABC radio a while back. Jim Maxwell and Fannie de Villiers were chatting between overs as cricket commentators do, and in response to Maxwell's casual comment about SA cricket's golden era in the sixties and early seventies, FD casually mentioned that that wasn't really a South African team and therefore isn't relevant (or words to that effect). A bit of silence and Maxwell artfully shifted the subject. Is this a commonly held belief in SA or is FD a bit 'different' to most? Just curious.
I think SA has their own challenges when it comes to sport. I look forward to the day where sport is free of political influence and sport has gone to all corners of South africa. Once we get to a position where no community is cut off from the opportunity to compete and take part in sport is the day we will be truly great. Considering our international performances I agree we have quietly been competing well over the past 18 years since our first free elections. Since Ernie won his first US open, we have now had 5 different golfers win a collective 9 majors. Great effort. The Proteas may not have ever been at the top for any given period in time, but we have firmly been the bridesmaid of international cricket for 18 years. The second best win ratio in ODI and test cricket behind the Ozzies and lost only 1 of our last 17 test series, it has to be said very consistent if not great. Rugby in SA is what us white South Africans probably see as our favourtie sport and with 2 world cups, 3 tri nation trophies and 3 Super Rugby Trophies it is still not where we want to be. But overall we are always there and there abouts amongst the top three rugby teams. Now for us to get our sport truly covering all aspects of our communities and I'll be a happy chap. Hopefully in my lifetime
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
Viscount unfortuntely the sleeve tattoo craze is a growing trend in SA....just look at Francois Hougaard - great player but I guarantee you he is the Saffa-equivalent of a bogan wanker haha
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
Amen brother!
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
Cheers David. Look forward to your future articles!
King Robbo
Guest
Football is their number one sport and they have been rubbish since the late 90s. First world cup host to go out in the first round!
geoffo
Guest
Thats a wee bit mean Josh. Coming home in 32 shots in a stiff breeze and sinking a 15 foot putt on the last is winning it in my book. Scott dropped his shots at the end on 3 of the 4 hardest holes on the course.