South Africa denied late as Great Britain edge Bok Women in Hong Kong rematch

They closed their pool campaign with a strong 19-5 win over Great Britain at Kai Tak Sports Park, only to lose 19-14 to the same opponents in the ninth-place semi-final later on Saturday.

The decisive moment in the second clash was an early red card to Lerato Makua, forcing the South Africans to play with six players for 10 minutes. Great Britain led 7-0 at the time, but the Bok Women fought back through tries from Shanidiné Bezuidenhout and Maria Tshiremba.

Chasing the game at 14-19, Ayanda Malinga was held up over the line in a potential match-winning moment, allowing Great Britain to hold on.

Earlier, Tshiremba scored twice in the pool-stage victory after Great Britain had taken an early lead, while Makua added another to seal the result.

With Makua suspended and Asisipho Plaatjies injured, South Africa will field a depleted side against Argentina in their 11th-place playoff on Sunday.

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