It’s been an fascinating two days for the South Africa males’s sevens aspect on the Paris Olympic Video games.
Eire and New Zealand beat them on the opening day at Stade de France, however after defeating Japan by greater than 40 factors on Thursday, the South Africans gave themselves an opportunity at medalling.
South Africa certified for the all-important quarter-finals as one of many high two third-placed sides in pool play, and it appeared it was at all times their future to face their arch-rivals as soon as once more with a semi-final spot on the road.
New Zealand had flown by means of pool play with a hard-fought run of three wins from as many stars, which included a 40-12 overcome Japan and a two-point win in opposition to the combating Irish. There was little doubt who the favourites had been earlier than Thursday’s quarter-final.
However that didn’t hassle the “underdogs” who went on to win 14-7.
“We knew we’re the underdogs as a result of we had a foul season and yesterday, New Zealand beat us,” South Africa’s Selvyn Davids mentioned on the Olympics broadcast.
“We simply got here out and gave it our all.
“We knew we solely had one likelihood.”
Captain Selvyn Davids opened the scoring for the boys from The Rainbow Nation a couple of minutes into the competition – which drew a well-liked cheer from the French crowd. Davids ran by means of a niche into New Zealand’s line of defense untouched for the opener.
The skipper did all the things however rating the following strive as nicely after booting the ball ahead for a clearance, chasing after it with desperation, after which regathering possession earlier than getting an offload off to try-scoring Tristan Leyds.
South Africa’s strong defensive effort in opposition to Eire was a giant speaking level out of day one, and it was as soon as once more front-and-centre after holding the Kiwis out for nearly the complete match. Moses Leo scored their solely strive on the stroke of half-time.
“I feel we simply caught to our weapons. We all know New Zealand is a top quality crew so we simply tried to stay to our weapons, simply observe the gameplan,” Davids defined.
“We fought for 40 minutes and that’s what it takes to win or achieve success in a sevens recreation.”
It doesn’t get any simpler for South Africa who will tackle Antoine Dupont’s France in a blockbuster semi-final. France have stumbled a bit with a draw to the USA and a loss to Fiji, however with all of it to play for, this actually is anybody’s recreation.
With a sold-out Stade de France of their nook, it appears seemingly that South Africa will as soon as once more carry the ‘underdog’ tag into that semi-final. France did simply beat SVNS Collection League Winners Argentina 26-14 in order that they’ve seemingly earned that moniker.
“It’s gonna be powerful.
“Our subsequent recreation… it’s gonna be powerful. We have to keep targeted and preserve our heads within the recreation.”
Within the different semi-final, the Australian males’s aspect certified for the ultimate 4 for the primary time at an Olympic Video games after beating the USA 18-nil. The Aussies are 4 from 4 on the Video games as nicely after beating Argentina, Samoa and Kenya in pool play.
However they’ll have their work minimize out for them in opposition to Fiji. The Fijians are the two-time defending Olympic gold medallists, and so they’ve by no means dropped a recreation on the world’s largest sporting competitors.
Fiji defeated France in pool play and snuck by Eire 19-15 within the quarter-finals to stay in with an opportunity of claiming yet one more Olympic medal.
