The clock has struck midnight on Team Canada's Cinderella run at this year's World Rugby Classic in Bermuda.
Despite an honest effort, Blake Mahovic and his fellow Canadians fell 45-10 to South Africa during Sunday's final. The South African Springboks have earned their seventh World Rugby Classic title, while Canada remains winless at the tournament.
"I would like to congratulate South Africa for a good game," said Maple Leaf captain Oliver Atkinson in an interview with The Royal Gazette. "I also congratulate my guys for stepping up to win two amazing games against Ireland and Argentina. We had a team that not only stunned Ireland, we showed that we were here to play. Unfortunately, we didn't get the result that we wanted tonight, but I’m sure South Africa felt us come through them.
"I just think South Africa had some world-class players that obviously stepped up tonight, hit the gaps that we left open but we didn't give up. I think the rest of the teams now know that we’re here to play, and Canada is not to be taken lightly any more. Hopefully, next year we can come back and do the same damage as we did this year."
Mahovic punched in Canada's only try of the game, but a relentless Springbok attack found the end zone seven times going the other way. Despite that, South African captain Sam Gerber praised his unit's defensive effort above all.
"Against Canada we just showed great character. I’m so proud of the boys, we never gave up, what a proud time for me to be part of this team," he told the Gazette. "The Canadians had an awesome spirit, they never gave up. Our defence was just unbelievable, we conceded two tries this whole tournament and we’re proud of our defence. To me defence won us this tournament."
