The Ireland Men's Sevens team finished just outside the medals in Seville, with a jump of three places from last week to fourth in the latest HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament.
Buoyed by their return to the semi-final stage, Anthony Eddy's side had their moments against South Africa before the eventual champions pulled clear for a 26-0 victory.
The last day in Spain ended on a losing note for Ireland, with a 12-5 loss to Argentina in the bronze final, but the weekend's efforts have move them level on points with fifth-placed France in the World Series standings.
Terry Kennedy remains the World Series' top try scorer so far this season, adding three tries in Seville for 24 overall. Munster's Conor Phillips also touched down three times.
There was little between Ireland, wearing their white jerseys, and South Africa during a cagey first five minutes. Kennedy was well marshalled, albeit that the Blitzboks were giving away penalties at the breakdown.
Against the run of play, South Africa ran a penalty from deep and Christie Grobbelaar evaded the clutches of Mark Roche on his way to the try-line.
Scoring opportunities continued to be limited but the World Series leaders were clinical again just before half-time. After a harsh call for a knock-on went against Aaron O'Sullivan, Shaun Williams sniped over in the left corner.
Two converted tries down, Ireland went the more direct route on the resumption as Zac Ward's impressive fetch kicked off a promising set of attacking phases.
However, the South African defensive wall held firm and Justin Geduld turned a set piece move into five more points, despite the best efforts of Kennedy to deny him.
A few phases later, Selvyn Davids went to chase his own kick and Kennedy was sin-binned for impeding him. Niall Comerford then raced back to deny Mfundo Ndhlovu a try from another kick through.
There was still enough time for playmaker Davids to widen the winning margin to 26 points, as he retrieved his own stabbed kick down the middle and Williams converted.
Ireland were down to 10 fit players for their Seville finale, familiar rivals Argentina facing them again in the bronze final. Another close battle ensued, with a turnover apiece early on.
Kennedy unfortunately dropped the ball over the line as Eddy's charges hunted down the opening try, with a Comerford turnover penalty and Tamilore Awonusi's lineout work creating the opportunity.
Keeping the pressure on, O'Sullivan intercepted to score from a few metres out, his try going unconverted before the Pumas levelled before the break through the experienced Gaston Revol.
Argentina just had a canny knack of forcing errors and capitalising on them. Attacking off a miscued Irish lineout, they broke downfield and replacement Rodrigo Isgro reached over for a crucial 11th-minute try.
Felipe del Mestre added the extras, and despite a late turnover penalty won by Ward, Kennedy was pulled back for a forward pass from O'Sullivan as Ireland fell short of their first World Series medal since 2018.
The World Series now takes a break until April when the men's teams will head to Singapore and Vancouver over consecutive weekends (April 9-10 and 17-18). The women's sides head to Langford next on April 30-May 1.
Two converted tries down, Ireland went the more direct route on the resumption as Zac Ward's impressive fetch kicked off a promising set of attacking phases.
However, the South African defensive wall held firm and Justin Geduld turned a set piece move into five more points, despite the best efforts of Kennedy to deny him.
A few phases later, Selvyn Davids went to chase his own kick and Kennedy was sin-binned for impeding him. Niall Comerford then raced back to deny Mfundo Ndhlovu a try from another kick through.
There was still enough time for playmaker Davids to widen the winning margin to 26 points, as he retrieved his own stabbed kick down the middle and Williams converted.
Ireland were down to 10 fit players for their Seville finale, familiar rivals Argentina facing them again in the bronze final. Another close battle ensued, with a turnover apiece early on.
Kennedy unfortunately dropped the ball over the line as Eddy's charges hunted down the opening try, with a Comerford turnover penalty and Tamilore Awonusi's lineout work creating the opportunity.
Keeping the pressure on, O'Sullivan intercepted to score from a few metres out, his try going unconverted before the Pumas levelled before the break through the experienced Gaston Revol.
Argentina just had a canny knack of forcing errors and capitalising on them. Attacking off a miscued Irish lineout, they broke downfield and replacement Rodrigo Isgro reached over for a crucial 11th-minute try.
Felipe del Mestre added the extras, and despite a late turnover penalty won by Ward, Kennedy was pulled back for a forward pass from O'Sullivan as Ireland fell short of their first World Series medal since 2018.
The World Series now takes a break until April when the men's teams will head to Singapore and Vancouver over consecutive weekends (April 9-10 and 17-18). The women's sides head to Langford next on April 30-May 1.