Claim: The American Cougars sent a touring squad to southern Africa in 1978 made up of Fullbacks Joe Sheitlin and Dennis Jablonski as well as 23 other players.
Evidence: The American Cougars (also known as the USA Cougars or United States Cougars) is the only rugby union team from the United States ever to beat a reigning Currie Cup championship team in South Africa. A combined and invitational side from the United States, the Cougars toured South Africa and Zimbabwe in 1978. The Cougars played six games in South Africa: against Natal, Combined Universities, Griquas, Northern Transvaal, South African Gazelles and Rhodesia, and won once. Joe Sheitlin Fullback Dennis Jablonski Fullback Mike Hodgins Wing Vic Clark Wing Tommy Smith Wing Dan Wack Centre Boyd Morrison Centre Mike Fanucchi Centre Ian Gunn Fly-half Steve Gray Fly-half Dick Cooke Scrum-half Kirk Andrus Scrum-half Gary Wilson Prop Mickey Ording Prop Mike Lancaster Prop Bruce Henderson Prop Jessie Lopez Hooker Jeff Hollings Hooker Jerry Kelleher Lock John Fowler]] Lock Nick Fedorenko Lock Jeff Lombard Flanker Clarence Culpepper (capt.) Flanker Tom Selfridge 8th Man Brad Andrews 8th Man