The Springbok Women’s Sevens exited the cup competition at the Valladolid Sevens on Saturday after a narrow 17-12 loss to Fiji.
South Africa entered the final Pool B match needing a decisive victory to keep their tournament alive.
Coach Cecil Afrika’s team started the weekend with high hopes but suffered consecutive 26-12 defeats against heavyweight opponents Australia and the USA on Friday. Those opening losses left the squad with a major points deficit and no room for error.
To get into the quarter-finals as a top third-placed team, they had to win. They also needed to deny Fiji a losing bonus point.
The team started with great intensity and moved the ball cleanly across the backline.
Speedster Maria Tshiremba nearly secured an early lead, but a defender stripped the ball right at the try-line.
However, the squad quickly capitalised on their early dominance.
Playmaker Byrhandré Dolf intercepted a stray Fijian pass near the line and scored to give her side the advantage.
Fiji responded aggressively with three quick tries on either side of the halftime break. Atelaite Buna Ralivanawa, Rogosau Adimereani, and Reapi Ulunisau all scored to give Fiji a commanding 17-5 lead.
South Africa refused to back down and fought back into the match. Tshiremba made amends for her earlier error by scoring a crucial try in the 11th minute. Dolf added the extra points with a successful conversion to cut the deficit to five points.
The South African side pushed hard for a winning score in the final minutes. Fiji held their defensive line under immense pressure until the final whistle.
The defeat officially knocked South Africa out of playoff contention at Estadio José Zorrilla.
Points-scorers
South Africa 12 (5) Tries: Byrhandré Dolf, Maria Tshiremba. Conversion: Eloise Webb.
Fiji 17 (12) Tries: Atelaite Buna Ralivanawa, Rogosau Adimereani, Reapi Ulunisau. Conversion: Mariana Talatoka.
