The Blitzboks finished seventh at the New Zealand Sevens after back-to-back defeats on the final day of the tournament on Sunday.
South Africa lost 21-14 against Ireland in a contest for fifth place in Hamilton, after the South Africans were earlier knocked out of the title race by France in the quarter-finals (22-17).
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Shawn Williams and debutant Jaiden Brown scored tries for the Blitzboks’ against the Irish, with Ricardo Duarttee adding the extras while in their clash with the French, Williams, Christie Grobbelaar and Dalvon Blood all crossed the whitewash for SA.
Meanwhile, Argentina won the title by beating New Zealand 14-12 in the final, with the hosts moving to the top of the overall standings in the 2022-23 World Sevens Series.
The Blitzboks will now refocus for the Australia leg in Sydney next weekend.
A @FranceRugby showing to remember ??
Their #NZ7s journey heads into a semi-final#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/x2Dy137H1K
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) January 21, 2023
Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter