The Blitzboks needed a golden try from Tristan Lleyds in extra time to beat Great Britain 17-12 in their opening match at the HSBC World Championship in Valladolid on Friday, surviving a nervy performance that nearly cost them in the Spanish heat.
The game was marked by uncharacteristic handling errors from the South African side, allowing Britain to dictate the tempo and turn it into an attritional contest. Charlton Kerr broke the deadlock for Great Britain in the fifth minute before Shilton van Wyk responded with a long-range effort, ghosting through a gap from his own half. The Blitzboks then moved ahead when Dewald Human kicked downfield and Sebastian Jobb chased to score.
With the lead seemingly secure, the match turned on a freak moment — Ricardo Duarttee, tracking a British kick, collided with the post, leaving Ben Salmon to level on the stroke of full time and force extra time.
Lleyds settled it with a set-piece move off a scrum, drifting wide to beat his defender on the outside and claim the golden try.
The Blitzboks face Kenya at 17:08 later on Friday, then close out pool play against Australia on Saturday. Kenya lost to Australia in extra time by the same scoreline — 17-12 — setting up a competitive pool.
The Springbok Women went down 26-12 to Australia in their opener and face USA at 14:29.