South African legend Ernie Els won the British Open by one stroke from Adam Scott on Sunday after Scott spectacularly imploded at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The 42-year-old birdied the 18th to end seven under as Australia's Scott bogeyed the last four holes to come second by one shot.

Els, who began the day six shots adrift, clinched his fourth major title and first since winning the 2002 Open at Muirfield.

"I am just numb at the moment, I feel for Adam Scott, he is a great friend of mine," said Els, the 1994 and 1997 US Open champion.

England face a tense battle to save the First Test and their world number one ranking after Hashim Amla became the first South African to score a triple century

The 29-year-old made history several times on day four at the Kia Oval, firstly when he surpassed AB de Villiers’ 278 not out – the previous highest Test innings for a South African – and then when passed 300.

South Africa declared on 637 for two.

In reply, England lost their top four cheaply in reaching 102-4 by the close, needing a further 150 to avoid an innings defeat.

Ajax Cape Town were denied an historic victory over Manchester United in the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, as substitute Bebe's late equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw for the visitors.

Ajax took the lead in the 86th minute through Alcardo van Graan's back-heel only for United, who defeated AmaZulu 1-0 on Wednesday, to reply two minutes into stoppage time.

The game brought an end to Manchester United’s South African tour - they now travel on to China.

Image: Getty

England have closed the opening day of the Test series against South Africa on 267-3 at The Oval, with Alastair Cook (pictured) 114 not out.

It has to be said that Cook was very impressive with the bat as was Jonathan Trott, who hit his 11th Test fifty and his second against South Africa.

Steyn and Philander largely disappointed for South Africa while an erratic Morkel was amongst the wickets.

It was expected to be a close battle between two strong sides, but Day 1 clearly belonged to England.

Image: Getty

The impact of injuries will be heavily felt in the Super 15 rugby tournament as it enters the 11th of 18 regular-season rounds, tipping matches in favour of teams with the ability to replace key players.

None of the leading teams were unscathed as they approached weekend matches of the competition in which only five points - the margin of a bonus-point win - separate the first six teams.

A provisional Springbok World Cup squad of 51 players was announced in Wellington outside Cape Town on Wednesday. The squad will attend a two-day national planning session in Cape Town which starts on May 1.

A second planning session will be held in Durban on June 11 and 12 with a third taking place in Johannesburg on June 19 and 20.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers (pictured) will announce South Africa's World Cup captain on May 2 and his final squad of 30 will be finalised by August 23.

European champions Toulouse on Wednesday announced the signing of four southern hemisphere players to bolster their line-up for next season.

Luke McAlister, Luke Burgess and Gurthro Steenkamp (picutred) have signed three-year deals with the Top 14 leaders starting from next season, with Timoci Matanavou penning a two-year contract.

The four will join France fly-half Lionel Beauxis, who has also agreed a three-year deal, and Nicolas Bezy, Jean-Marc Doussain and Russlan Boukerou, who have signed their first professional contracts at their formative club.

Red Bull's Mark Webber bounced back from his disappointment at the Melbourne Grand Prix to dominate Friday’s incident-packed practice sessions in Malaysia.

The Australian was quickest in both the morning and afternoon free practice sessions.

McLaren’s British duo of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton also enjoyed good sessions.

They wound up in second and third positions respectfully.

Harold Vesrter, the president of the Free State Rugby Union, has resigned, according to the sport24 website.

Verster told the website: "I have already chatted to the directors and executive management and informed them of my decision,"

He said he wanted to focus all his attention and energy on his position as chief executive of the Free State Cheetahs and Central Cheetahs.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who scored the winner in Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal showdown with Chelsea, has been banned for two matches following his expletive-laden tirade at a television camera against West Ham on Saturday, the FA confirmed Thursday.

Rooney will now miss Manchester United's upcoming Premier League clash with Fulham as well as the FA Cup semifinal clash with Manchester City on April 16 after an appeal by the club was rejected.