Bouyant Blitzboks off to postive start in Perth

The Blitzboks were out of the blocks very fast for a 12-0 lead, but two converted tries by the USA before the break edged them ahead 14-12 at the halfway stage.

The USA scored the first try of the second half as well to push their lead out to 19-12 before Ronald Brown's late try after sustained pressure pushed the Blitzboks past their opponents.

The first try was scored within 20 seconds. David Brits gathered the kick-off and almost scored himself, but he was brought down just short. The ball was recycled and Ricardo Duarttee ran in for a 5-0 lead.

Two minutes later Quewin Nortje scored after he chased down his own grubber and when Duarttee converted the Blitzboks looked set for a big score.

Impi Visser was yellow carded though from the resulting restart and the USA took control for the next two minutes, as South Africa also made several handling errors. Will Chevalier scored twice for the USA in the final two minutes of the half to hand his team the lead.

The USA's third try came after the South Africans' defence was caught napping on the blind side and Lucas Lacamp raced to the corner to stretch their lead to seven points.

The introduction of Selvyn Davids and Brown off the bench had the desired effect though. First Davids ran in from 80m after a quick tap in the SA 22 before Brown stepped past a USA defender in the final minute to score the match-winner.

South Africa will play Australia at 13h52 SA time, the last match of the day at HBF Park.

Scorers:

Blitzboks 24 (12) USA 19 (14)

Blitzboks - Tries: Ricardo Duarttee, Quewin Nortje, Selvyn Davids, Ronald Brown. Conversions: Duarttee, Brown.

USA - Tries: Will Chevalier (2), Lucas Lacamp. Conversions: Steve Tomasin (2).

READ MORE: Snyman - Blitzboks ready to test themselves against top teams in Perth