Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green came so close to being crowned Miss Universe in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.
The Mzansi beauty finished in the top three, ending as runner-up to title winner Miss Philippines, Catriona Gray.
The 24-year-old, from Paarl, represented the country against 93 other contestants.
She made the top three against Miss Philippines and Miss Venezuela at the contest, hosted by Steve Harvey and Ashley Graham, with Ne-Yo performing.
Gray is the fourth Filipino to be named Miss Universe.
Former Miss Universe, South African Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters was on hand to crown her successor.
In spite of the outcome, Tamaryn tweeted that she’s “proud to be a South African”.
I can't put into words the overwhelming gratitude I feel today. South Africa, I could feel your love and support on the Miss Universe stage and I am so thankful for you.
I am so proud to be South African.
To @catrionaelisa, may your reign as #MissUniverse be abundantly blessed. pic.twitter.com/lut6N2YXGU
— Tamaryn Green (@TamarynGreen) December 17, 2018
People took to social media in favour of Tamaryn, with one writing: “Our Miss S. Africa is simply stunning! Second place, 93 countries! So close to winning the crown back to back. So proud of Tamaryn.”
Another called her “the darling of my world”.
Margaret Gardiner won Miss Universe in 1978, while former Miss SAs to win the Miss World title are Rolene Strauss (2014), Anneline Kriel (1974) and Penelope Coelen (1958).
This is also the first Miss Universe in which a transgender woman, Angela Ponce of Spain, competed.
She previously told media she wanted to highlight the suicide rate among trans teenagers.
Ponce previously revealed she competed in Miss World in 2015 but was “crushed” when she “found out on the day of the competition that their rules didn’t allow a transgender woman to win”.