While the host nation's run came to an end in the second round of the singles competition, two South African pairings progressed to the doubles quarterfinals on Wednesday, on day two of the ITF World Tennis Tour W50 tournament being played in Pretoria.
Top-ranked SA player Isabella Kruger, who reached the singles quarterfinals of the W50 tournament in Pretoria last week, put up a fight against American player Jaeda Daniel by winning the second set, but her opponent ultimately held on to secure a 1-6 6-0 6-3 victory.
Wildcard entry Marilouise van Zyl also dug deep but the 17-year-old rising South African star was swept aside by No 2 seed Gabriela Knutson of the Czech Republic, who earned a 6-4 6-1 win.
Meanwhile, in a shock result among the international entrants in the singles tournament, No 3 seed Xiaodi You of China was eliminated in the round of 16 after being edged by Clervie Ngounoue of the United States (7-6 6-3).
There was no trouble, however, for top seed Laura Pigossi of Brazil, who beat Russian opponent Ekaterina Shamilova 6-3 6-0.
In the doubles competition, Isabella Kruger teamed up with compatriot Zoe Kruger as they secured a 7-5 6-3 victory over Maddalena Gordano of Italy and Amanda Nava Elkin of Mexico (7-5 6-3).
Another all-SA pairing, Christine Gouws and Tanika Panaino, also progressed after being handed a walkover victory against compatriots Mia-Leigh Cilliers and Nadja Walter.
There was no luck, however, for Lilitha Ndungane and Hailey Robyn Troup, who lost to the Russian pairing of Shalimova and Anastasia Kovaleva (6-4 6-2).
Isabelle Basson and Carle Botha had a tough opening match against No 2 seeds Clervie Ngounoue of the US and Isabella Shinikova of Bulgaria (6-1 6-1).
Isabella and Zoe Kruger will face Ngounoue and Shinikova in the next round on Thursday, while Gouws and Panaino will meet Alyssa Reguer of France and her Belgian partner Amelia Waligora in the quarterfinals.