SA water polo men beaten again at World Aquatics Championships

South African’s struggles on the international water polo stage have continued at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Qatar.

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South Africa have both a men’s and women’s team competing in Doha.

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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 on Friday, 9 February.

The SA men’s side finished bottom of the group and progressed to the 13th-16th playoff bracket where they will face either China or Brazil on Sunday, 11 February.

The side scored 18 goals while conceding 79 in their three matches.

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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 no better than their male counterparts.

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 will face Singapore on Saturday, 10 February.

The SA women’s side scored just 10 goals while conceding 63 in their three matches.

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