The South African men’s sevens rugby team have had to settle for sixth place at the HSBC Sevens Madrid Grand Finale.
The Blitzboks who lost all three of their Pool matches on the first two days, beat Australia 24-21 in the semi-final for fifth place earlier today, but they were beaten 12-seven by Ireland in their next match.
The #Blitzboks wrapping up the season with a victory and a defeat in Madrid today 🇿🇦#PoweredByUnity #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/ucCQRq0fhu
— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) June 2, 2024
It was Ireland’s fifth victory in six matches over the Blitzboks this season.
The Madrid Grand Finale was reserved for the top eight teams on the World Series log.
The South Africans must now shift their focus to the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco later this month – a Paris Olympic Games qualifier.
Meanwhile, the Boks women will campaign in the Challenger Series next season.
They were demoted from the World Series following a 22-nil defeat to Spain in the quarter-final of the Play-off tournament in Madrid.
The event featured the bottom four teams on the World Series log and the top for teams of the Challenger Series.
The four semi-finalist will play in the World Series next season.
