The Eagles nearly added another scalp in the Cup Quarterfinals in Tokyo, but ultimately were nipped 17-12 by South Africa. The USA led twice in the contest, had a good share of possession and forced many uncharacteristic turnovers.
South Africa struck first, stealing the ball in the game’s first ruck after the USA hauled in the opening kickoff. The Blitzbokke just moved the ball through hands wide, and Seabelo Senatla cruised in for an unconverted try.
The Eagles then put together a very impressive, long, string of possession, during which Madison Hughes put a couple of cross kicks in the air to pressure South Africa. The first was caught by Nick Edwards, and the second by South Africa, but a swarming American defense forced a penalty, and Danny Barret toed through the ball and dove over from five meters out. Hughes converted, putting the USA in front 7-5.
South Africa’s Justin Geduld answered right back, however, by taking a clever line that led him to the try zone. Hughes did well to corral Geduld in the corner of the try zone, making the conversion difficult. The Blitzbokke led 10-7 at halftime.
A well placed kickoff from Pono Haitsuka to start the second half, misjudged by South Africa, gave the Blitzbokke a lineout deep in their own end. The throw was not straight, and the Eagles had an attacking scrum inside the 22. The ball went left to Test – ruck. It came back right, and Barrett stepped Kyle Brown and offloaded to Brett Thompson, who stretched over the line for the go-ahead try – 12-10.
South Africa regained the lead off a broken play. The outpass from a ruck inside the Blitzbokkes own end sucked the American defense in, and South Africa just burned around the edge of the Eagle defense 95 meters for the try. After the conversion, the USA trailed 17-12 with just over two minutes to play.
The Eagles’ last possession was ended when Andrew Durutalo mistakenly ran into touch. South Africa held onto the ball for the remainder of regulation, despite some desperate defense from the USA.
Up next for the Eagles is a Plate Semifinal meeting with Canada at 11:46 CST.
USA 12
Tries: Thompson, Barrett
Cons: Hughes
South Africa 17
Tries: Senatla, Geduld, Kok
Cons: du Preez