American rugby player Perry Baker kicks pitch intruder in the stomach after fan attempts to tackle him during match

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A pitch invader received more than he bargained for during the HSBC Sevens World Series match between South Africa and USA on Saturday after being kicked in the stomach by a member of the American team.

The fan decided to invade the pitch during the match and made the mistake of trying to tackle American Perry Baker. 

Baker reacted angrily, aiming a kick into the floored fan's midriff before the intruder slowly got back to his feet. 

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A fan ran onto the pitch during a South Africa-USA match Saturday and tackled American player Perry Baker

Perry retaliated by kicking the unwelcome guest in the stomach as he lay on the field

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

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.

One of Baker's team-mates gave the man a shove (centre) sending him on his way 

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

Baker, 28, apologised for his actions on Twitter just hours after the kicking incident 

The 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.' 

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