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Johannesburg - The Springbok women's team finished the Brazil Sevens World Series in a disappointing 12th position on Sunday following defeats against Fiji and China on the final day of the tournament.
The team went down against England, Canada and Russia in a tough opening day on Saturday, which forced them to battle it out with Fiji in the Bowl semi-final on Sunday.
Despite their brave efforts they were unable to secure their first victory of the tournament and lined up against China in the 11th and 12th place playoff.
The Springbok women's Sevens gave a better account of themselves on Sunday against Fiji and put up a good fight.
Both teams scored four tries, but an unsuccessful conversion in the final movement of the match left South Africa two points behind Fiji on 24-22.
The Islanders opened up the scoring in the first minute, but South African captain Zenay Jordaan hit back with a stunning individual try to level the scores at 5-5.
Fiji, however, scored their second try minutes later, but this was cancelled out by Nosiphiwo Goda's try.
The Islanders had the final say of the half as they ran in their third try to take a 17-12 lead at the break and Levinia Tinai backed this up shortly after half-time with her hat-trick for a 24-12 lead.
South Africa hit back with intent in the dying minutes with tries by Siviwe Basweni and Jordaan, but the unsuccessful conversion denied them a place in the Bowl Final.
The team started their clash against China on an encouraging note with Jordaan finding space out wide in the opening minute to touch down. But China scored minutes later to take a 7-5 lead.
Basweni, however, gathered a pass from Springbok women's top achiever of the year Fundiswa Plaatjie to score their second try of the match.
Again their defence let them down and China scored the final try of the half to secure a 14-12 half-time lead.
They stretched this lead to 31-12 following three second-half tries, one of which earned Sun Shichao her hat-trick.
The Springbok women's Sevens, however, went down fighting with a consolation try by Jordaan in the final minute to reduce the deficit to 31-17.
