The Uganda Rugby Cranes Sevens bowed out of the 2023 Rugby Afrique Men's 7s on Sunday after a 26-14 defeat at the hands of the 2022 Commonwealth Games champions, the South Africa Springboks.

(Courtesy photo)

South Africa was the first to touch down a converted try before Uganda replied through Aaron Ofoyrwoth and a Philip Wokorach conversion to tie the match at 7-7.  

The Uganda Rugby Cranes Sevens in action against the South Africa Springboks. (Courtesy photo)

South Africa worked well on the second try and converted to extend the lead to 14-7. 

Pius Ogena didn't finish the first half after reacting to a hard tackle below the left knee by a South African player. 

Alex Aturinda replaced Ogena to start a play that gave Uganda a well-built try from Ian Munyani which Wokorach converted. 

However, in the second half of the game, it was a no-show for Uganda and two tries from Roasko Specman and one conversion from Selvyn Davids condemned Uganda to a 26-14 loss. 

"We had the game in our hands, but a few mistakes that we shall clear let us down," Tolbert Onyango who coaches Uganda noted. 

(Courtesy Photo)

The Uganda Rugby Cranes Sevens fans supporting the cranes. (Courtesy Photo)

Uganda will now feature in the third-place playoff against hosts Zimbabwe who lost to Kenya in the first semi-final of the day. 

On Saturday, September 16, Zimbabwe overpowered Uganda 35-5 in the final game of Group C. 

Cranes Sevens head coach Tolbert Onyango knows the importance of this game. 

"We need this game like never before, it has two qualifications that are Olympic global qualifier and World challenger series. So, we are going to give our best," Onyango explained. 

South Africa Blitzboks are playing against Kenya Shujaa in the final that will determine the new champions of Africa and a direct slot in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.