Blitzboks LA Sevens

The Blitzboks started their defence of the LA Sevens on a losing note when they were outplayed by the USA in their opening Pool B clash. Photo: SA Rugby website

Los Angeles Sevens Day 1 result: Blitzboks stumble in opener v USA

The Blitzboks started their defence of the LA Sevens on a losing note when they were outplayed by the USA in their opening Pool B clash.

Blitzboks LA Sevens

The Blitzboks started their defence of the LA Sevens on a losing note when they were outplayed by the USA in their opening Pool B clash. Photo: SA Rugby website

The Springbok Sevens started their defence of the LA Sevens on a disappointing note when they were outplayed 21-7 by the USA in their opening Pool B clash at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles on Saturday.

LIVE | BLITZBOKS AT LOS ANGELES SEVENS

The home side held a 14-0 lead at the break and then extended that to 21-0 before a late Blitzboks try offered some hope to the SA side, who need to finish in the top four if they want to win the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Blitzboks forced into making tackles

The USA dominated possession and without the ball, the SA side needed to make a lot of tackles, not all of them successful, allowing the home team to dot down early.

Shaun Williams was shown a yellow card and with six men only, they conceded another try just before the break.

RESULT | SPRINGBOKS’ VICTORY DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA DRAGS ON

Perry Baker blitzed the Blitzboks early in the second half to push the lead out to 21 points, before a try to Sako Makata, converted by Williams, gave the SA team some hope, but they ran out of time.

“We did not use the opportunities. We did not make the tackles we needed to and made mistakes when we had the ball on the few occasions, we had it,” said captain, Siviwe Soyizwapi afterwards.

“We did not want to start like this, this was not a good start for us.” 

The play Canada next at 21:26 (SA time).

RATINGS | HOW WE RATED THE SPRINGBOKS – AND THE REFEREE!

Scorers:

USA 

Tries: David Still, Joe Schroeder, Perry Baker

Conversions: Lucas Lacamp (3)

Blitzboks

Try: Sako Makata

Conversion: Shaun Williams