@Blitzboks
The Blitzboks earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris with a last-gasp 26-19 win over Australia in the play-off match for the last medal position.
The winning try was scored after full-time had elapsed and after Australia fought back from 19-7 down after losing captain Nick Malouf to a red card for a dangerous tackle.
The Aussies then ran in two quick tries to level the scores at full time, before captain Selvyn Davids broke away to cross the line but passed the ball to Shaun Williams to dot down the winning try which was also converted.
"We were the last team to qualify, but here we are," said Davids in a post-match interview.
#TeamSA ????@Olympics#TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Olympics pic.twitter.com/DYkDrkm2R5
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 27, 2024
The South African Sevens Team capped off a tough season following an indifferent HSBC Sevens tournament which meant they had to qualify in 12th spot for a place at the Paris Olympics.
The Blitzboks’ tournament also got off to a shaky start having lost their two opening pool matches against Ireland and New Zealand but then pulled off a big 49-5 win over Japan to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Stoic defence saw the South Africans edge New Zealand 14-7 for a spot in the semi-final against eventually gold medalist, France.
Phillip Snyman’s charges went down 19-5 to the home side who thumped double Olympic champions, Fiji, 28-7 to claim France’s first gold medal of the Games.
