London - The South African pair of Naydene Smith and Lee-Ann Persse contesting the pairs " B" final put in a strong effort to finish second behind the Chinese pair Yage Zhang and Yulan Gau on Wednesday.
The South Africans started off as if they meant business and led the race up to the halfway point (1000m).
However, the Chinese pair of Yage Zhang and Yulan Gau dug deep to open up a commanding lead and won by a canvass.
Argentina and Italy followed them home.