The South Africa women's team put up a fine second-half performance but bowed 2-0 to Japan in an international friendly at the Kitakyushu Stadium, Fukuoka on Sunday.
Having exited the African Olympic Qualifiers at the expense of Botswana in September, Desiree Ellis' ladies were hoping to end the year on a high in their second meeting with the Japanese.
However, Banyana Banyana's hopes did not come to fruition as goals from Saki Kumagai and Yuika Sugasawa for the hosts overshadowed Leandra Smeda's 100th-cap celebration.
The visitors started the contest on a high, when striker Thembi Kgatlana outran a Japanese defender on the left wing but no one was on hand to connect with her cross in the sixth minute.