That'll teach him! Moment American rugby player kicked pitch intruder in the stomach in retaliation for tackling him during match 

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A rugby fan in South Africa learned the hard way not to mess with players when he was kicked in the stomach by a member of team USA after tackling him during a game Saturday.

The bizarre incident took place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth during an HSBC Sevens World Series match between South Africa and the US.

Cameras at the venue were rolling when a member of the audience ran onto the pitch in the middle of the game and tackled American player Perry Baker to the ground.

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Intruder: A man in white shorts and a blue T-shirt ran out onto the pitch during a South Africa-USA match Saturday and tackled American player Perry Baker 

Getting his just desserts: Perry retaliated by kicking the unwelcome guest in the stomach as he lay on the field

When Perry got up, he kicked the intruder square in the gut as he was lying on the field, reported Fox Sports.

One of Perry's teammates also gave the unwelcome guest a hearty shove, sending him on his way, after he struggled to his feet.

South Africa crushed the US Saturday 26-0.

Just hours after the game, Perry, 28, took to Twitter to apologize for lashing out during the game.

'I would like to apologize for my actions. i hope that my greatest fan in well. Boy they do love their rugby down here,' he wrote.

Ousted: One of Baker's teammates gave the man a shove (center) sending him on his way 

Contact sport: Philip Snyman of South Africa dives over with Perry Baker hanging on during day 1 of the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens Series at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on December 13

Contrite: Baker, 28, apologized for his actions on Twitter just hours after the kicking incident 

Alpha predator: The American rugby player is seen here posing with a lion in South Africa

The 6-foot-one, 180-pound native of Daytona Beach, Florida, got his start at the Arena Football League's Pittsburgh Power before switching sports and joining the Eagles Sevens rugby club to pursue his Olympic dream.

The Twitter-sphere was divided on Baker's conduct, with some saying that it was unsportmanlike to kick a man while he was down, while others saying that the hapless streaker brought it upon himself.

'No need to apologise,was a split second decision. He got off lightly,should have kicked him twice,' wrote supporter Tim Walsh.

But user Danny Beasley was critical of Baker's actions, tweeting: ‘you should be kicked out. Feral dogs don't deserve that treatment. Typical arrogant p****! #onyabike.' 

Athlete: The 6-foot-one, 180-pound native of Daytona Beach, Florida, got his start at the Arena Football League's Pittsburgh Power before switching to rugby