Head coach Philip Snyman lauded the character of his gamers because the Blitzboks bounced again from a disappointing begin to clinch the 2024 Olympic Rugby Sevens bronze medal.
A semi-final loss in opposition to eventual gold medallists France on Saturday didn’t break the South Africans’ spirit, as they regrouped to beat Australia for the bronze medal on the Stade de France in Paris.
Snyman, a member of the 2016 squad that received a bronze medal within the inaugural Olympic Rugby Sevens occasion, heaped reward on his gamers.
“Now we have an awesome administration, and this win was additionally for these again in South Africa, however the second belongs to the gamers – I’m so pleased with them and what they achieved right here immediately,” he stated.
“We had our ups and downs, particularly on the primary day, however the best way the workforce got here again on the subsequent two competitors days made me so proud.
“We had our lapses and will have been within the last, however all that issues would be the bronze medals they earned immediately. It’s so deserved to a bunch of men who by no means stopped working and taking part in for his or her nation.
RECAP: Blitzboks bag Olympic bronze
What a second for the Blitzboks 🇿🇦
Take a look at what it meant to them 🥺
Shout to Selvyn Davids for letting Shaun Williams apply the profitable contact 👏#Paris2024 | #CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/35ZhcQ2oEL
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 27, 2024
“We have been gutted after the France defeat, however the gamers confirmed enormous braveness to come back out and struggle for that bronze medal in opposition to Australia. I’m so pleased with them, as I’m positive South Africa will probably be for his or her first medal on the Paris Video games.”
For Blitzbok captain Selvyn Davids, the completion of the journey to a medal was a proud second: “We needed to come such a great distance, and wanted to qualify via the repechage event simply to get to Paris, and we have been the final workforce in.
“We have been nearly down and out earlier within the yr, however what a comeback and what a struggle by this group. It’s so satisfying to see us taking part in to our potential and be proud Olympic medallists.
“We’re pleased with this medal and achievement and to know that we’ve executed our system justice and hopefully gave South Africa one thing to smile about can be a nice feeling,” added Davids.
Rosko Specman, who grew to become the primary rugby participant to earn two medals on the Olympics, stated the second meant as a lot as the primary achieved in Rio in 2016.
“What a journey it has been for me, to earn two medals eight years aside – that’s speicial,” he added.
“However much more particular is the journey we needed to get up to now. From the darkish moments in Harare, the place we missed out on qualification, to Monaco, the place we used our last likelihood.
“We could have been the final workforce in, however we’re bronze medallists. Nicely executed to the coaches and administration who bought this group to consider it’s potential.”
Photograph: @Blitzboks/Twitter
