South Africa suffered a terrible start to the LA Sevens tournament after hosts USA stunned the World Series front-runners in the pool B opener on Saturday.
It was an uncharacteristically poor display from the Blitzboks, who conceded an early converted try as David Still broke away after some defensive slip-ups from SA.
A yellow card to Shaun Williams on the buzzer worsened matters, the Americans using their numbers for Joe Schroeder to burst through to make it 14-0 at half time.
SA leaked a third soon after the restart as Perry Baker dotted down under posts, the US speedster having launched himself through a gaping hole in midfield.
Sako Makata pulled one back for the men in green and gold, and the conversion was good, but it was too little, too late with the Yanks cruising to a 21-7 win.
The Blitzboks will look to bounce back in their second encounter of the day, against Canada at 9:26pm.
Not a great start, but no excuses from @SiviweSoyizwapi as they drop pool opener to USA. pic.twitter.com/FZiJEGZ84Z
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) August 27, 2022
Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter
