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The Springboks battled to overcome a valiant USA Eagles side in their international in Houston on Saturday, eventually winning 43-20 after enjoying a slender halftime lead of 22-15. The Boks made heavy weather of the assignment that marked the end of an unsuccessful tour of Europe and America. The Boks failed to show any cohesion and structure in their game against a team containing only six fulltime professionals. The Springboks were heavily penalised at the breakdown by French referee Didier Mene and in the first half battled to slot into a rhythm. America's flyhalf Link Wilfley got the first points on the board when he slotted a penalty - the first of four. Centre Jason Keyter also succeeded with a drop goal to keep his team in the picture for much longer than any South African fan would have anticipated. The Boks, however, did find their scoring touch and in the first half fullback Conrad Jantjes, hooker Lukas van Biljon and flank and captain Andre Vos crossed the try-line. Flyhalf Louis Koen added two conversions and a penalty. In the second half the Boks looked more penetrative on attack although the surfeit of handling errors must be an area of concern to coach Harry Viljoen. Centre Adrian Jacobs, in his first start for his country, showed off his silky running skills while big Dean Hall also caused the Americans a lot of trouble with his bullocking runs. And when Ollie le Roux and Willie Meyer replaced Lawrence Sephaka and Cobus Visagie in the front row shortly after the break, the Boks had much more oomph up front. Tries by Pieter Rossouw and Hall and one more by Jantjes ensured that the Boks in the end ran out comfortable victors. America, however, were not prepared to go down without a fight and they scored their try late in the game when prop Mike MacDonald charged over the line after the Eagles won a lineout five metres out. Scorers: Springboks - Tries: Conrad Jantjes (2), Lukas van Biljon, Andre Vos, Dean Hall, Pieter Rossouw; Conversions: Louis Koen (5), Penalty: Koen. US Eagles - Try: Mike MacDonald; Penalties: Link Wilfrey (4); Drop goal: Jason Keyter.
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