In their first match, 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 brough 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.

Selvyn Davids made an impact off the bench after returning from injury this week.

A brilliant defensive effort helped the Blitzboks to beat Australia 10-7 in a pulsating game played in wet conditions. Rain came down between their two matches and conditions could not be more different than the USA game.

However, what stayed the same was an excellent start by the South Africans followed by a lapse in intensity.

This time around the Blitzboks attacked in the opening spell and although it took a couple of minutes to get the first try, it came from pressure created by their attack.

After a good spell with ball in hand, the Blitzboks forced Australia into a defensive penalty and opted for a scrum 20m out from the try-line. Ricardo Duarttee broke away and fed Donavan Don, who scored. The conversion went wide.

A minute later, Dewald Human ran in unchallenged after a clever chip, only to lose the wet ball over the line.

The Aussues came back with a good try by James Turner, who got the better of Quewin Nortje. When Maurice Longbottom kicked the conversion, the hosts took the lead at the break.

The second half was highlighted by superb Blitzbok defence, as Australia failed to extend their lead despite enjoying good field position and possession.

In fact, the defence pushed the Aussies back further as they tried to find depth and finally panic set in. A spot tackle by David Brits with two minutes to go resulted in a handling error and Brits was quick to pounce to score what would prove the match winner.

The victory secured the Blitzboks a place in the quarter-finals with the final pool game against Argentina still to take place at 07h50 (SA time) on Saturday morning.

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).

Blitzboks 10 (5) Australia 7 (7)
Blitzboks – Tries: Donavan Don, David Brits.
Australia – Try: James Turner. Conversion: Maurice Longbottom.