Year in review: South African sporting highlights of 2016
Let's face it: 2016 was not the greatest year for South African sporting triumphs. From the failure of the Boks and Bafana Bafana to showcase their prowess on both the local and global arenas this year, to Faf du Plessis' alleged ball-tampering scandal - it's been a year of sporting lows, rather than highs. But it hasn't been all doom and gloom. As a sport-loving nation, South Africans have been privy to a number of amazing moments this year. We reflect on some of the best and most memorable of 2016.
Sundowns crowned African champions:
Sundowns this year became only the second South African club to be crowned African champions.
The Brazilians did so by beating Zamalek over two legs in the final.
Sundowns previously reached the final in 2001. On that occasion they were beaten over two legs by Al Ahly.
Orlando Pirates is the only other South African club to win the African Champions League. Pirates did the trick back in 1995.
Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya win Olympic gold medals:
Wayde van Niekerk set a new world record in winning the 400-metres gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this year.
Van Niekerk is the only person ever to run faster than 10 seconds for the 100-metres, 20 seconds for the 200-metres and 44 seconds for the 400-metres.
Caster Semenya also won a gold medal at the Olympic Games this year. She did so in the women's 800-metres.
Proteas win a third successive Test series in Australia:
The Proteas beat Australia 2-1 in theirthree-match Test series in Australia this year.
The Proteas also won their previous two Test series Down Under. Let us also not forget that the Proteas also hammered the Aussies 5-0 in a one-day international series in South Africa this year.
Springboks undefeated in December 2016:
The Springboks ended their year on a high by not losing in the month of December.
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We have to point out that the Boks did not play in December. Another positive is that the Boks surely cannot be worse in 2017. Surely.