Banyana Banyana bowed out of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after going down 2-0 to the Netherlands in the round of 16 on Sunday morning.
Coach Desire Ellis made just one change from the historic victory over Italy during the week, as Robin Moodaly made way for Kholosa Biyana in the midfield as Refiloe Jane remained out injured.
The Dutch drew first blood inside the opening ten minutes as Banyana's failure to deal with a corner, allowed Jill Roord to head into an empty net for her fourth goal of the tournament.
South Africa went close to drawing level a few minutes later when Jermaine Seoposenwe did well to play in Thembi Kgatlana, who saw her strike brilliantly palmed away by Daphne van Domselaar.
That proved to be Seoposenwe's final involvement in the game, as the influential winger picked up an injury with 15 minutes left in the half and had to make way for Wendy Shongwe.
Having already lost Refiloe Jane and Seoposenwe, the African champions lost the services of star defender Bambanani Mbane who landed awkardly on her ankle and was stretchered off just before the break.
Lieke Martens thought she had doubled the Dutch's lead ten minutes after the interval with a neat turn and finish, but the celebrations were cut short as the Video Assistant Refere (VAR) spotted an offside in the build up.
Netherlands continued to push for the second and were rewarded on 69 minutes when goalkeeper Kaylin Swart was unable to hold on to a seemingly tame long-range strike from Lineth Beerensteyn.
Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar ensured there would be no comeback from Banyana for the second time this week, as she produced a superb save down to her left to keep out Linda Motlhalo's strike.
There would no repeat of the late heroics from Banyana this time around as Van Domselaar pulled off another fine save to late on to condemned the African champions to defeat, ending their historic run in the World Cup.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Swart, Ramalepe, Mbane, Matlou, Dhlamini, Biyana, Gamede, Magaia, Motlhalo, Seoposenwe, Kgatlana
Subs: Dlamini, Moletsane, Magama, Cesane, Salgado, Makhubela, Kgadiete, Holweni, Kgoale, Shongwe, Jane, Moodaly