World Rugby Classic Semi-final

USA 23 South Africa 12

Wearing their cuts and bruises like badges of honour, the USA dug deep last night to score another upset victory at the World Rugby Classic and send the once-mighty Springboks packing.

Determined, undaunted and playing with a passion no other team can surpass, and perhaps only the champion Barbarians can equal, the Eagles added South African scalps to the All Black ones they took on Sunday.

What they lacked in some of the finer aspects of the game the Americans made up for with their sheer will to win and as a result they now find themselves in Saturday's showpiece final against either the aforementioned Brits or France.

"We did exactly what we needed to do," said proud captain Craig Hartley. "The guys stuck with the gameplan throughout.

"We played a tremendous side. They hit us just as hard as we hit them but we didn't back away from it and I can't ask for any more from the players."

The Americans took the lead early, Jon Hinkin slotting an eighth minute penalty to put his side 3-0 up.

But six minutes later they were up against it when a fumble by Rick Medina deep in his own half let in Johan Kapp and he raced over the tryline for the score. Lance Sherrell made no mistake with the conversion and the Springboks were 7-3 up.

When the USA were penalised for inciting a mini fracas on the halfway line, South Africa sensed a chance to extend their lead but Eric Herbert's kick was off target.

They were made to pay in the 28th minute when some good possession rugby down the right saw Mike Stanaway break clear of the defence and run over for a try. Hinkin converted and the USA were up by three.

A further spot of handbags led to South Africa being awarded another penalty but, once again, they were unable to get the ball between the posts.

However, they did manage to re-establish a lead as the clock wound down when, in controversial fashion, Mkaya Jack ran the ball in. However, it appeared to many that when he dived over the line he failed to ground the ball. Whether that was the case or not the South Africans were not about to argue and they went in at the break 12-10 up, Sherrell having hit the post with the conversion attempt.

If they were upset by the referee's decision, the Americans did not let it get to them as the second period got underway and within three minutes they were back in front, Hinkin striking another perfect penalty to establish a one point lead.

The advantage widened shortly after when a horribly sliced clearance from South Africa dropped invitingly on the wing for Steve Siano and he readily accepted the gift.

Though the conversion was missed the USA were up by six and they never looked back from this point forward, adding to their tally three minutes before the end when Mike Skahan, who suffered a mild concussion against New Zealand, showed there had been no lasting damage by collecting a neat kick ahead and diving dramatically in at the corner to seal a fine triumph.

"It was a much more physical game (than the All Blacks)," said Hartley. "It was a give and take battle, back and forth. They were making some big hits and we were coming up with some ourselves. We were a little bit overwhelmed I think in the beginning. We started taking the tackles.

"I brought the guys aside after that first try and looked at everyone and got their attention and they responded perfectly. We had been taking tackles and then we started giving them and that's when we turned things around."

Hartley said at no point did he think victory was in the bag.

"With their abilities and that pack that they have there to control the ball I was waiting for that whistle," he said with a laugh.

South African coach Charles Kleinboi said his side had only themselves to blame for the loss.

"We let too many chances go past us," he said. "We didn't turn opportunities into points and that was our downfall.

"It wasn't necessarily that we underestimated them. We knew they were going to come out hyped up because they (USA) had just lost to Fiji in the World Cup (in Australia) and they beat New Zealand (in Bermuda) the other night so we knew what we were expecting. All credit to them, they prepared themselves better for this tournament."