Leeds United - on this day: Lucas Radebe makes South Africa debut

Lucas Radebe was to become a Leeds United legend

The day...

Lucas Radebe in action for South Africa. (Getty)placeholder image
Lucas Radebe in action for South Africa. (Getty)

July 7, 1992

The event...

Lucas Radebe makes his international debut for South Africa

What happened?

On this day 28 years ago Lucas Radebe made his international debut for South Africa just a year after being shot in the back.

Radebe was out with his family when he was shot in Soweto, an incident which required emergency surgery with the bullet missing his spine by a matter of inches.

He was called up to the national team for the first time for the 1-0 victory over Cameroon, a game which also saw South Africa's return to FIFA's ranks after a 42-year absence due to apartheid.

Radebe moved to Elland Road in 1994 and would go on to become a club legend spending 11 years in West Yorkshire making 262 appearances.

Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice