The Blitzboks kicked off their SVNS World Championship campaign with a come-from-behind win against France in Los Angeles on Saturday.

South Africa overcame a slow start for a 19-10 victory in Pool A at Dignity Health Sports Park. The French struck early through Varian Pasquet and Simon Desert, surging into a 10-0 lead.

But Selvyn Davids hit back before the break with a crucial try under the posts to cut the deficit to three. 

The South Africans turned the tide in the second half, with Shilton van Wyk finishing smartly from a scrum move to edge them ahead. Ricardo Duarttee then created space for Zain Davids to crash over for the Blitzboks’ third. 

A yellow card to Liam Delamare further dented French hopes, and Tristan Leyds all but sealed the result with a brave covering tackle on Desert in the dying moments.

Philip Snyman’s men next face Great Britain (12:13am) before wrapping up their group-stage action against SVNS league winners Argentina (3:46am).

Photo: David Van Der Sandt/Gallo Images