Gehrig had announced his retirement earlier that season, unable to continue his career as he was ravaged by the disease that would eventually be named after him.

FORBES

Hooker Smit's place in the team looks to be assured after new national coach Peter de Villiers named him as captain but that means at least one of the others will not find a place in the Test team.

BBC: Strike threat to Springbok tour

And when the club unveiled a bronze statue outside its home stadium, Old Trafford, and named the North Stand after him, the timing suggested he might be ready to bow out.

WSJ: Manchester United Manager Ferguson Retires