Today in sports history: June 9 - Don Clarke kicks Waikato to shock win over Springboks

Don Clarke Photo credit: Getty

Some stories of the past that led sporting headlines around the world on June 9.

1956

The Springboks open their tour of New Zealand with a shock 14-10 loss against Waikato, with fullback Don 'The Boot' Clarke kicking eight points for the home team.

The pre-match parade attracted 20,000, and included marching girls, bands, and people dressed as animals.

"If I had been a man from Mars and dropped down into your main street, I would have said without hesitation that it was the dumping ground for the lunatics of the world," South African coach Dannie Craven joked, when he addressed the fans.

South Africa would lose an extremely well-contested test series 3-1 to the All Blacks, with the biggest winning margin being seven points in New Zealand's third test win.

1984

Czech-American tennis great Martina Navratilova tops American rivals Chris Evert 6-3 6-1 in the French Open final at Roland Garros.

Navratilova, widely regarded as the greatest women's player of her generation, completed a personal Grand Slam with the win to hold all four major titles at the same time. Only Serena Williams has achieved the feat since.

Navratilova finished her storied career in 1994, just months after losing the Wimbledon final, with 18 Grand Slam titles. She spent an incredible 332 weeks as world No.1.

2006

Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 in the opening match of the Football World Cup in Munich. 

Miroslav Klose scored twice after Phillipp Laham's sixth-minute opener for the host nation. Costa Rica threatened a shock result midway through the second half, pulling within a goal of the Germans with a double from striker Paulo Wanchope.

But substitute Torsten Frings fired home a long-range effort to seal three points for the joint tournament favourites.

The Germans played with freedom throughout the tournament, showcasing arguably the most attractive football on show, but would eventually succumb to Italy in the semi-finals, finishing third overall. 

2019

Spanish tennis supremo Rafael Nadal wins his third straight French Open crown, dominating Austrian Dominic Thiem in the final.

Nadal completed a comfortable 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to claim his 12th title in Paris - a record for the most singles titles at a major tournament. Nadal's history-making win was his 18th Grand Slam victory, which he extended to 19 with his US Open win a few months later.

2019

The Blackcaps complete a thumping victory over Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup in England.

The seven-wicket win lifted New Zealand to a perfect 3-0 record, which they would extend to four in their next game against South Africa.

Jimmy Neesham was the chief destroyer, taking 5/31 in Afghanistan's meagre 172 from 42 overs.

Jimmy Neesham Photo credit: Photosport

Kane Williamson stroked an unbeaten 79, as the Blackcaps reached the target in the 33rd over.

New Zealand finished pool play in fourth spot, beat India in the semi-finals, before tying with England in the final to share the trophy... oh wait, apparently England won on some sort of ridiculous countback.

Birthdays

1975 - Former Australian cricket international Andrew Symonds 
1980 - Three-time NBA champion Udonis Haslam (Miami Heat)

Deaths

1977 - Six-test NZ cricketer Bill Merritt, aged 69
1995 - One-test NZ cricketer Gordon Rowe, aged 79

Newshub 12 months ago...

Cricket World Cup 2019: Aussie star David Warner 'shaken up' after hitting net bowler

The local net bowler, who was taken to hospital after being hit in the head by a David Warner drive, has been given the all clear.    

Warner was left visibly shaken on Saturday after the young medium-pacer - a local cricketer named Jaykishan Plaha - was hit and fell to the ground, requiring assistance from Australia's medical staff.             

He was put on a stretcher and taken from The Oval in a medicab, as training was stopped for more than 10 minutes and Australian players looked on.    

Contact Newshub with your story tips:
news@newshub.co.nz