The Blitzboks advanced to the quarterfinals of the London leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series on Saturday despite lethargic displays after the high of claiming the overall title last week.
Traditionally slow starters, SA ground out a 12-10 win over African neighbours Kenya in their opening match, and their performances didn't improve as the day wore on. But they advanced to the quarterfinals for a 10th time in 10 outings this season despite a loss against the USA in their final Pool match.
Defeat meant that the USA topped Pool A, leaving the Blitzboks to face hosts England in the last eight. England have been a bogey side for SA this year, beating them three times, including in the final of the Cape Town leg of the series.
The Blitzboks eked out another narrow win beating Wales 12-10 in game two, which was enough to seal their semi-final place even before their final Pool match against the USA. America surprised the Blitzboks with their second resounding performance of the day, having earlier beaten Kenya 47-0.
They ran in a 12-0 lead over SA before tries from Ruhan Nel and Siviwe Soyizwapi drew the scores level early in the second half. But the USA lifted the tempo and left behind the Blitzboks, who conceded two more tries to go down 24-12.
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