Cape Town - The Springbok Sevens side finished their Dubai Sevens campaign on a low note after losing a thrilling 5th place playoff match against Fiji on Saturday.
The Fijians scored a try in the sudden death extra-time period to win 24-19.
A hat-trick by young gun Muller du Plessis had given the Blitzboks a 19-14 lead heading into the final seconds, before Fiji levelled matters in the last move of regulation time (19-all).
The islanders missed the conversion to seal the contest but made sure of the win in extra-time.
Earlier on Saturday, the Blitzboks thumped Scotland 29-0 in the Plate playoffs, having lost 22-5 to England in the Cup quarter-finals.
On Friday, the Blitzboks, who are the reigning World Rugby Sevens Series champions, beat Zimbabwe 31-0 and Samoa 19-12, but lost 19-12 to Argentina.
New Zealand won the tournament when they beat USA 21-5 in the Cup final.
Scorers:
South Africa
Tries: Muller du Plessis (3)
Conversion: Dewald Human (2)
Fiji
Tries: Mesu Kunalolo, Aminiasi Tuimaba (2), Waisea Nacuqu
Conversion: Nacuqu, Vatemo Ravouvou