SA women's water polo team scores unprecedented world champs success

The South African women's water polo team secured their best-ever world championship result when they downed Argentina 12-9 in their final group match in Fukuoka, Japan, on Thursday morning.

Both sides had lost their earlier encounters against Italy and Greece, but victory over the South Americans earned South Africa third place in the pool and a spot in the 12-team playoff. 

South Africa's previous best world championship finish was 13th, which they achieved last year after losing to Argentina in their pool match by a single goal, scored in the final moments.

This time the team, skippered by veteran Megan Sileno, made no mistake as they ensured they never slipped behind. They ended the first quarter level at 2-2 and then attacked hard in the second to build up a 7-5 lead. 

South Africa face Canada on Saturday in one of four playoff matches where third-placed teams take on sides finishing second to win quarterfinal spots. Canada ended second in their group, beating New Zealand and hosts Japan and losing narrowly to powerhouse Hungary, the runners-up last year. 

The loser of Saturday's encounter will head into classification matches, but either way, the South African women cannot finish lower than 12th. 

The South African men's team, still searching for a win, play their final match against pool-leaders Spain on Friday. 

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