The Springbok Women's Sevens team finally got it right when they outplayed Argentina 21-12 in the final of the third and final World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament in Krakow, Poland, to win their first title of the year.
In the opening tournament in Cape Town, they finished third, and a week later, the South Africans were runners-up in the second tournament at Athlone Stadium. This, however, went all the way to claim the top spot on the podium.
The win was not enough though to topple Kenya, who won the two Cape Town legs, from the top of the standings. The fact that they outplayed the East Africans 22-10 in their semi-final on Saturday afternoon will offer some respite.
South Africa outscored Argentina by three tries to two in the final, with Nadine Roos converting all three in a rematch of their final pool game on Friday, which Renfred Dazel's team won 22-0.
Scores were tied 7-7 at the break, but the usual imprint of class by Roos in the second half soon separated the two sides again.
Zintle Mpupha scored the opening try in the second minute following good defensive pressure that forced Argentina to give the ball away, with Roos converting. The South Americans came back with a converted try by Taladrid late in the first half.
The second half belonged to South Africa. Mathrin Simmers had a good run out wide with her inside pass, finding Rights Mkhari in full flight, and the forward scored under the poles. Roos converted and then ran in from 60m out to score the third try, with her conversion pushing the lead out to 21-7 with less than two minutes to go.
Argentina did manage a try after the hooter, but it was way too little, too late.
Earlier against Kenya, the Bok Women controlled most of the match, scoring four tries in the process and only conceding two, right at the death when the result was already in the bag.
Ayanda Malinga again opened the scoring - converted by Roos - using her pace to pass the Kenyan defender on the outside before Maria Tshiremba scored the second try after a strong hand-off on the left wing.
Roos went over after the break from a quick-tap penalty inside Kenya's half, catching the defence napping, before Mpupha sealed the deal by powerfully crashing over in the corner after another good run by Malinga.
South Africa booked their place with three pool wins on Friday and also qualified for the playoff tournament in Los Angeles next month. Argentina qualified for the final with a 21-20 victory over Thailand in the first semi-final despite being outscored by three tries to four.
Scorers:
South Africa 22 (12), Kenya 10 (0)
SA - Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Maria Tshiremba, Nadine Roos, Zintle Mpupha. Conversion: Roos.
Kenya - Tries: Freshia Oduor (2).
South Africa 21 (7), Argentina 12 (7)
SA - Tries: Zintle Mpupha, Nadine Roos, Rights Mkhari. Conversions: Roos (3).
Argentina - Tries: Maria Brigido Chamorro, Maria Taladrid. Conversion: Sofia Gonzalez.