SA's London Sevens hopes slim as agonising late USA try holds Blitzboks to draw

The Blitzboks' London Sevens tournament hangs by a thread after they conceded a late try to the USA to draw 26-26 in their Pool A game on Saturday.

Pita Vi scored in the penultimate minute under the posts to secure a match-tying try for the USA, who trailed South Africa for the entire duration of the game up to that mark.

READ | Second-half fightback not enough as Blitzboks go down to Great Britain at Twickenham

Sandile Ngcobo's charges will rue the excellent start and platform they gave themselves after racing to a 19-0 lead in just three minutes thanks to tries by Christie Grobbelaar, Shilton van Wyk and Dewald Human.

However, the USA finished the first half stronger after scoring through Kevon Williams and Lucas Lacamp. 

The Americans took that momentum into the second half. And although in-form Mfundo Ndhlovu scored a sensational solo try to start the second half, Williams struck again for the USA.

SA's sloppy set-piece and poor defence told as Vi vied for the finish line in the dying embers and secured the match-tying try a minute from time.

Earlier, SA went down fighting to Great Britain 19-15 after staging a comeback but wasn't enough to get them the win. With their points tied at three with the USA on the log, it's now nail-biting stuff to see who will progress from Pool A.

New Zealand lead the group with three points, followed by Great Britain in second, also on three, but those two sides have played one game each so far.

South Africa next face New Zealand at 19:33 on Saturday.