The Blitzboks lost 07-12 to Ireland for the second time in Madrid and had to settle for sixth place.
Ireland opened the scoring with two tries to lead 12-00 at the halftime break. Despite a much-improved effort in the second half, it took the Blitzboks six minutes in the second half to score their first try by Impi Visser to reduce Ireland's lead to 12-07, which was also the final score.
Scorers:
Blitzboks: Try: Impi Visser. Conversion: Rosko Specman.
Ireland: Tries: Zac Ward, Harry McNulty. Conversion: Hugo Lennox
Teams:
Blitzboks: Quewin Nortje, Ryan Oosthuizen, Shaun Williams, Tristan Leyds, Kat Letebele, Rosko Specman, Impi Visser. Replacements: Siviwe Soyizwape, Selvyn Davids, Tiaan Pretorius, Christie Grobbelaar, Justin Geduld.
Ireland: Niall Comerford, Hugo Lennox, Zac Ward, Gavin Mullin, Hugo Keenan, Chay Mullins, Harry McNulty. Replacements: Andrew Smith, Sean Cribbin, Jordan Conroy.