Facing the home team of any tournament is always a tough ask and even more when that team that team is South Africa and it's your first match of the tournament. While the Eagles competed hard, missed tackles and key penalties did them in as they lost 26-0. Attention now turns to Wales, a match they must win if they want to advance to the Cup quarterfinals.
The U.S. began the match with possession but a knock-on by Perry Baker as he was tackled gave South Africa the ball. They made quick work with their possession as hard running continually drew in U.S. defenders and when Cecil Afrika passed out to Seabelo Senatla he was all alone for the score to make it 5-0 early.
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As mentioned the Eagles competed hard, especially in the first half. They looked threatening when solid runs from Baker, Folau Niua, Martin Iosefo, and Danny Barrett but them a strong position. However, South Africa were strong at the breakdown all match and were able to recover the ball.
Craziness ensued at the end of the half after a spectator ran on to the field and tackled Perry Baker, who then kicked the invader. It will be interesting to see if World Rugby comes down with a suspension for Baker. Out of all that South Africa had one last chance but weren't able to convert.
The second half wasn't as competitive as the first as South Africa's pressure finally wore down the Eagles. Werner Kok scored just a minute in to make it 12-0. It began with another knock-on from the U.S. while allowed South Africa an attacking scrum. From that scrum the ball went to Kok who broke through a tackle and was home free.
Penalties would lead again to Philip Snyman scoring not long after to make it 19-0. The Eagles did have a few chances after that but came up empty. Instead, it was South Africa that would score last through Ryno Benjamin to make the final 26-0.
Penalties and missed tackles were the story of the match. South Africa are a hard team to beat and hard team to tackle and the U.S. certainly didn't earn any favors from the referee but still they had opportunities to make tackles and be cleaner ad the breakdown and didn't take them. There are positive signs that they can take going forward as they play Wales at 9:20 a.m. et/6:20 a.m. pt.
Eagles: Barrett, Durutalo, Iosefo, Niua, Unufe, Hughes, Baker