Playmaker Ronald Brown says the Blitzboks went off script against Ireland in Cape Town on Saturday night and it cost them a shot at winning the 2022 Sevens World Cup.

South Africa suffered a 24-14 quarter-final loss to Ireland to exit a Sevens World Cup at this stage of the tournament for the sixth time in their history.

REPORT: Ireland land knockout blow on Blitzboks

It was the nature of the performance that would have disappointed the home side, as they slipped far too many tackles, made basic errors and gave away the ball far too easily.

“It’s not the way we wanted to end. I think Ireland grabbed us and they kept us under pressure and they took the opportunities that they got,” said Brown after the game.

“We had a plan and didn’t execute it, actually. We weren’t accurate in the plan that we wanted to do.

“I think Ireland kept the ball really nicely, they played off our mistakes and at this level if you keep the ball for four or five phases you will walk over the line eventually. I think they kept the ball really well, we couldn’t really steal it and they were clinical at their breakdown so well done Ireland.”

RECAP: Sevens World Cup (day two)

The loss would have carried some extra pain for the Blitzboks in front of their home supporters at a decently packed Cape Town Stadium.

However, the hosts will still be in action on Sunday as they take on Argentina in the fifth place playoff, when they will hope to send outgoing coach Neil Powell off with a couple of wins.

“I think it’s always sore losing in front of a home crowd, especially this one. I mean the World Cup is quite big for us and all the prep that went into it and the hard work I feel it is disappointing. But as a team we do like to bounce back and we take each game as it comes and will definitely focus on Argentina, bounce back and be successful in that one.”

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