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5 darkest days for the Boks

Johannesburg - The 20-18 loss to Italy in Florence this weekend ranks among the most humiliating suffered by twice world champions South Africa:

2002

In London

England 53 South Africa 3

A nightmare match for South Africa, who had Jannes Labuschagne red-carded after only 10 minutes, and skipper Corne Krige knocked out a team-mate when attempting to punch an opponent.

2006

In Brisbane

Australia 49 South Africa 0

Calls for coach Jake White to quit reached a crescendo after this humiliating reverse. One year later, South Africa beat England 15-6 in Paris to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

2015

In Brighton, England

Japan 34 South Africa 32

Just when embattled coach Heyneke Meyer thought his tenure could not become any more tortuous, it did. The Springboks recovered from the greatest Rugby World Cup shock to reach the semi-finals.

2016

In Durban

South Africa 15 New Zealand 57

The All Blacks toyed with clueless opponents, scoring nine unanswered tries. Had it not been for a swirling wind affecting goal-kicker Beauden Barrett, the winning margin would have been even wider.

In Florence

Italy 20 South Africa 18

An Italian team with a clever coach in Irishman Conor O'Shea, an inspirational skipper in Sergio Parisse and a team that performed the basics competently mocked international rankings that placed them 13th, nine positions below South Africa.

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