With the win, South Africa secured second spot in their pool behind unbeaten China. Their next game will be against Kenya in the first Play-off final at 23h16. The second Play-off final is between Argentina and Spain at 23h40.

The two winners of these matches will join pool winners China and Brazil in the new second-tier SVNS 2 competition next season, while the losing sides will have to qualify through a Challenger round.

A strong start by the Bok Women, pushing Argentina back with some strong defence, saw Ayanda Malinga cross for the first try of the match, but thereafter they lost their way a bit, conceding a string of penalties - and a yellow card to Zandile Masuku - to allow the South Americans back into the match.

With Masuku off the field, Sofia Gonzalez and Maria Taladrid scored on either side of the break to take a 14-7 lead, and the Bok Women looked a bit rattled as they were stuck in their own half of the field.

With Argentina hot on the attack, Nadine Roos intercepted in the SA 22 and sent Maria Tshiremba away for a try 85m downfield to make it a two-point game.

From the restart, the South Africans applied massive pressure and after a few penalties against Argentina, Leigh Fortuin finally crashed over for the winning try more than a minute after the full-time buzzer had sounded.

Scorers:

South Africa 17 (7) Argentina 14 (7)
SA - Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Maria Tshiremba, Leigh Fortuin. Conversion: Nadine Roos.
Argentina - Tries: Sofia Gonzalez, Maria Taladrid. Conversions: Gonzalez (2).