The Blitzboks kicked off their SVNS campaign with a hard-fought win over Olympic champions France in Dubai on Saturday.
South Africa triumphed 15-12, having led 10-7 at the break.
Ryan Oosthuizen scored early to get the Blitzboks on the board although Ronald Brown missed the conversion.
From the restart, a patient France went from side to side on their own 22 before creating an overlap which saw Celian Pouzelgues race away to score a self-converted try.
The Blitzboks responded in spectacular fashion with a pinpoint cross-kick to the corner which Donovan Don missed touching down initially, before eventually grounding the ball. Davids was unable to convert.
The bounce of the rugby ball is cruel
But Donavan Don made sure on the second attempt that he bagged his first try of the season
Perfect cross-kick from Selvyn Davids
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Some more Davids magic after the break put Christie Grobbelaar away down the right touchline for the run-in. Brown was again unable to convert, setting up a tight finish.
The game then became scrappy with the Blitzboks scrambling hard to pin France deep in their own territory. South Africa dug deep and kept France at bay with brilliant defence before their lines were finally breached by Antoine Zeghdar with less than two minutes on the clock.
An unsuccessful conversion saw the Blitzboks lead by three heading into the final seconds and they did well to hold off a desperate France.
“The lungs are burning. It’s hot but we are always ready to play in Dubai,” said Davids, before commenting on the new format.
“Every game is like a quarter-final. It’s way tougher than before and every team is up for it.”
The Blitzboks face Fiji (2:16pm SA time) and Argentina (6:34pm SA time) in their remaining pool matches on Saturday.
Blitzboks up and running in the desert
Kick-off in their next match against Fiji is at 14:16
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Photo: Christopher Pike/Getty Images
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