Disappointing end to a tough weekend for SA Women Sevens

They shrugged off an average first half to fight back in their ninth-place semi-final against Japan, but in the end it was not enough as they were beaten 27-7.

Against Spain, the South Africans started much better, but failed to keep it up as they went down 21-7 in the 11th place play-off.

In the first game of the day, Japan used their opportunities and scored three tries in the first half as the South Africans were again guilty of not making their tackles.

The fourth Japanese try followed shortly after the start of the second half, but the Bok Women then managed to control the ball better.

Simamkele Namba put in a few strong runs and after one of those, she offloaded to Ayanda Malinga whose superb handoff was enough to clear the way between her and the tryline.

Never-say-die Nadine Roos converted and at 22-7, it looked like the Bok Women may just come back into the game, but it wasn't to be as Japan scored their fifth try with less than a minute to go.

In their final game, Malinga and Roos again combined to give the Bok Women an early 7-0 lead after a bright start, but sadly they could not build any momentum after that.

Spain hit back with their first try late the in first half to make it 7-7 at the break, and in the third minute of the second half, they stretched their lead to 14-7 with a second try.

When Asisipho Plaatjies was sent to the sin bin, the Bok Women could not keep Spain out who scored their third try to seal the 21-7 win with just over a minute to go.

Scorers:

Springbok Women's Sevens 7 (0) Japan 27 (17)Bok Women's Sevens - Try: Ayanda Malinga. Conversion: Nadine Roos.Japan - Tries: Marin Kajiki, Sakura Mizutani, Michiyo Suda, Yukino Tsujisaki, Wakaba Hara. Conversion: Suda.

Springbok Women's Sevens 7 (7) Spain 21 (7)Bok Women's Sevens - Try: Ayanda Malinga. Conversion: Nadine Roos.Spain - Tries: Amalia Argudo, Marta Cantabrana Gil, Claudia Perez Perez. Conversions: Argudo, Claudia Peña Hidalgo (2).