The Blitzboks were knocked out of the Perth Sevens title race after a narrow defeat to Fiji in the cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
Leading 5-0 at half time, the South Africans conceded two converted tries in the second stanza to go down 14-12 at HBF Park.
Ryan Oosthuizen opened the scoring before the break with a strong finish in the corner, before Terio Tamani pulled one back for the Fijians after the restart.
RECAP: Blitzboks through to Perth quarters
Fiji doing Fiji things 👏#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @fijirugby https://t.co/6FMF5avhBH pic.twitter.com/aCs7npDRVb
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 27, 2024
Debutant Tristan Leyds crossed the whitewash and added the extras to regain the lead for the Blitzboks, but Rere Ropate soared over under the sticks for a converted score following a yellow card for James Murphy for taking out the man in the air.
South Africa will face France in the fifth-placed semi-final at 9:24am on Sunday, but head coach Sandile Ngcobo will be sweating the fitness of Quewin Nortje, who was helped off the field with what looked to be a hamstring injury.
Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter