The Blitzboks beat Canada 21-7 and the USA 14-10 at the London Sevens on Saturday.

Coach Neil Powell will be particularly pleased with the good all-round performances of Ryan Kankowski, Francois Hougaard and Cecil Afrika.

The Blitzboks started brightly against Canada with Kankowski scoring a brilliant converted try in the first minute, and he bagged his second just before half-time to make it 14-0.

Hougaard went over in the second half with Canada scoring a late consolation try.

The Blitzboks were lucky to escape with a four-point victory against the USA. Both teams scored two tries, but USA kicker Folau Niua missed his two conversion attempts.

After a stuttering start, a converted try by Seabelo Senatla broke the shackles and it was a lead the Blitzboks held until the interval.

They were more clinical after the restart and were rewarded with a brilliant solo effort from Afrika. The playmaker shrugged off a double tackle before fending off a third defender for a self-converted try.

The USA fought back with two well-worked tries, but with the conversions going awry the Blitzboks were able to close out the match.

London Sevens fixtures and results

Photo: Roger Sedres/Getty Images