South Africa ran riot in their final group game to lift themselves off the basement and into the ninth place play-off, getting the big win they needed to leap-frog USA. Initially, their target was a five-goal win and they were virtually there by half-time. Tarryn Bright got them on the board in the 14^th minute and they never looked back, the first time South Africa had scored at corner time in the tournament.

Further goals from Lesle-Ann George, Jen Wilson and Pietee Coetzee made it 4-0 at the break. Bright nabbed her second early, mopping up from Damons’ initial shot while Dirkie Chamberlain tapped in a corner rebound fro number six. Coetzee’s second – and her 248^th in her international career – from another corner completed the rout on a miserable morning for the US with the Africans had their first win of the campaign.

South Africa go into Wednesday's playoff for ninth place, defying their rankas the tournament's lowest seeds, while the USA are back in action on Friday as they bid to avoid the wooden spoon.

South Africa's deputy sports minister Cornelius GERDERHAUS (RSA) 

On the performance of the South Africa hockey teams: "I think this is the first time both our men's and women's teams qualified (for the Olympic Games) and it shows the systems we have put in place are beginning to yield results. It is a building block or stepping stone and it means our players are exposed to international competition."

"They are both young teams but this has given them lots of experience that will help in the future. A lot of the players will carry on and continue for a long run."

On South Africa qualifying twice for the 2012 Olympic Games: "The qualification has had its benefits. And I remember the jubliant mood in the country when we qualified. Hockey will not overtake cricket or rugby, but it is getting a lot of interest because it is a sport you can play for a long time."

On London and the organisation involved in the 2012 Games: "My first visit to this (Riverbank Arena) has been fantastic. I have this wonderful volunteer looking after me and getting me in and out of the doors. And let me tell you, I saw the Opening Ceremony at home on TV and it will be very difficult to emulate. The volunteers are fantastic and have been wherever I have moved around the city."

Tarryn BRIGHT (RSA)

On why they didn't play like this in previous matches: "We struggled to find rhythm at the beginning of the week. Each game we have played better and finally we got it together today. Seven goals takes us off the bottom position in pool B."

On what made the difference in this match and how satisfied were South Africa with their overall performance: "We could have been better generally, although I feel we did get better with each match we played. Today, the first goal made all the difference. Before this match we hadn't scored any goals from the penalty corners. It was a good way to finish. It is a very good feeling to have won so well. We are pleased. It was an excellent performance from the whole team. Definitely our best performance of the tournament."

Keli SMITH-PUZO (USA)

On the match: "I think South Africa showed up today and we didn't match their speed. We didn't adjust fast enough defensively to get under the ball. You have to show up for every game. Unfortunately, today South Africa came out much stronger than we did. I think they came out extremely fast. They took their free hits extremely fast and we didn't adapt quick enough. We were very slow to get underneath the ball defensively."

On playing for the US: "It's just been wonderful to be here, be part of the Olympic movement, to be able to play for the US and play for something so much bigger than yourself. I actually have two children and I will be retiring after this. This will be my last Games. I'm ready to move on and spend more time with my family."

Katie REINPRECHT (USA)

On the match: "The game plan was to come out like any other game. We knew we needed to win here. I think we maybe came out a little bit flat-footed and had to dig ourselves out of a hole a bit, but I will give our team credit. I don't think we gave up once the entire match."

On South Africa's performance: "South Africa came out super aggressive. They really put us under the pump. I will give them credit. They were lethal on the circle. They got us pretty good."

On USA's performance in the tournament: "I'm really proud of this team. We've been through a lot. Each game we really competed. Other than today, the scorelines have been super close. I' think we've competed with some of the best teams in the world. It's a matter of learning how to win and I think this team's young and we'll learn how to grow the more and more we play together."