CAPE TOWN - The Blitzboks ended day one of the Cape Town Sevens with a loss.
South Africa, who had beaten Great Britain and the United States in the opening Pool A encounters, slumped to a 14-12 defeat to Ireland.
Despite taking a five-point lead in the early exchanges, the Dubai Sevens champions allowed Ireland back into the contest with tries from Gavin Mullin.
Dewald Human managed to dot down after the interval but it was too little too late.
The home side will face Australia on Sunday morning in the Cup quarter-final.