The Blitzboks suffered a narrow defeat to New Zealand in the third-place playoff at the Singapore Sevens on Sunday.
The All Blacks Sevens won a fiercely contested battle 14-12, having led 7-5 at half-time.
New Zealand were first to score when Kele Lasaqa broke through the midfield defence.
The Blitzboks responded through Tristan Leyds, who went through a gap and powered over from several yards out with a defender on his back.
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South Africa were the first to score in the second half when Shilton van Wyk went over in the corner after great attacking play. Leyds then landed a brilliant conversion from out wide to put them 12-7 ahead.
In an energy-sapping match, Michael Manson then scored a brilliant individual try to bring the scores level and Riley Williams landed a superb conversion.
The Blitzboks launched a furious late assault which extended beyond the hooter but were unable to land a final winning blow.
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
