Despite defeat, Scotland’s inexperienced squad can still equal the best ever finish by a Scottish team at a World Cup as they battle out for fifth place on the third and final day at AT&T Park.

They will face the hosts USA in their penultimate game at the tournament at 7.56pm (UK TIME), in what promises to be an electric atmosphere at the home of the San Francisco Giants.

The Blitzboks starved the Scottish side of possession the entire game and were clinical with every attack.

Punishing the tiniest of mistakes, a Werner Kok double and one try for Justin Geduld made it 17-0 at the break.

The South African’s started the second period with the same ferocity they finished the first. Geduld scored a second try before Shakes Soyizwapi and Ruhan Nel also crossed the whitewash.

Refusing to lie down, Scotland defended doggedly and took their chance in the final play of the game. Alec Coombes collecting Harvey Elms’ cross-field kick to race down the line and finish in the corner.

Scotland 7s Head Coach John Dalziel said:

“Looking at the first half we actually did the difficult things well. South Africa like to put teams under pressure with unconventional re-starts and we dealt with that really well, but we then got caught up with the pressure they applied on us.

“A few loose errors ball in hand and we’re 19-0 down and from there it was an uphill battle and we can’t keep pulling these games back against top opposition. South Africa and Fiji showed why they are the top two teams in the world with their performances in the Quarter Finals here today.

“The boys stuck at task and they’re learning every time they take the field. Today was about how to deal with pressure and this young group will take valuable lessons and move forward. We’re disappointed today but we still have a chance to equal the best ever finish by a Scotland team at a Sevens World Cup so lots to play for.

“Playing against the USA at their home World Cup is going to be a huge challenge but our young players should really savour the atmosphere, believe in themselves and it would be really nice to finish the tournament on two wins tomorrow.”