On this day 26 years ago, the Springboks and Canada squared off at the 1995 World Cup in a chaotic clash that would be dubbed ‘The Battle of Boet Erasmus’.

Here’s a recap of what transpired on the day when a World Cup encounter turned into a bloodbath:

South Africa beat Canada 20-0 in a World Cup pool match in Port Elizabeth in a clash remembered for the dismissal of three players in what was a brutal contest. Referee David McHugh dismissed South Africa’s hooker James Dalton along with Canada’s captain Gareth Rees and prop Rod Snow after a full-on brawl erupted in the second-half. Springbok wing Pieter Hendricks was cited after the game for kicking and punching a Canadian, while fullback Scott Stewart was deemed guilty of inciting the fight. The pair were slung out of the tournament and suspended for 90 and 60 days respectively. Replays suggested the referee had got it wrong in all three instances.

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