World Aquatics Championships: SA finishes strong
The South Africans fought to keep their heads above water but their struggle at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha remains clear.
South African’s struggles on the international water polo stage continued at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Qatar.
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South Africa had both mens and womens teams competing in Doha.
SA MEN’S WATER POLO TEAM WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The South African men’s side were drawn in Group A, alongside Spain, Croatia and Australia.
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They lost their opening match 21-5 against Spain and then went down 29-7 against Australia in their second match.
A third hiding was dished out when they went down 29-6 against Croatia in their final group match.
The SA men’s side finished bottom of the group and progressed to the 13th-16th playoff bracket where they faced Brazil.
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The Brazilians proved too strong for their South African opponents, winning 18-5.
South African then faced Kazakhstan in the battle for 15th-16th place overall – which went the way of the South Africans 11-10.
The side scored 34 goals while conceding 107 in their five matches.
SA WOMEN’S WATER POLO SIDE FARED NO BETTER
Meanwhile, the South African women’s water polo side were drawn in Group D alongside Canada, Italy and Great Britain and fared little better than their male counterparts.
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The South African women’s side lost 24-2 against Canada in their opening clash and followed that up with a 25-3 defeat against Italy.
They concluded their group commitments with a 14-5 defeat against Great Britain to finish bottom of the group and progressed to the 13th-16th playoff bracket where they faced Singapore.
The SA women’s side were too good for Singapore, winning 20-6.
They next faced France in a match to determine positions 13th-14th.
France swam away comfortable winners of that match, 19-8, leaving the SA women’s side to be content with 14th place overall.
The SA women’s side scored 38 goals while conceding 88 in their five matches.