Blitzboks need loads of luck to stay in Olympics after two losses

July 25, 2024 4

When it mattered, the Springbok Sevens simply weren’t good enough.

That’s the verdict after day one at the Paris Olympics, where the Blitzboks crashed to a 17-5 defeat to add to their narrow 10-5 loss against Ireland, leaving them with an uphill climb, and needing plenty of luck to make the playoffs of the tournament.

Because after those two losses the Blitzboks need to beat Japan in their final game by a massive margin and then hope the dice falls their way to go through as a lucky loser – or best third-placed side – if they are to continue on in the Olympic Sevens at all.

The Blitzboks suffered at the hands of some strange calls on day one, but those were never the reason for their losses as a lack of composure, some elementary mistakes and some sublime rugby by their opposition put them to the sword.

It would have been a dream to see the Blitzboks salvage a poor season with a run of form to take a medal, but, at least at this moment, that looks far away.

Much like their season thus far, when opposition teams have upped the ante, the Blitzboks have looked pedestrian and out of sorts.

For a team that is used to controlling the tempo, the Blitzboks were on the back foot in both games and had very little possession to speak of.

In a game with small margins and less time to execute, teams create their own momentum.

On day one at the Paris Olympics, other teams did just that. The Blitzboks were missing in action when it came to this vital point.

It may sound harsh but in a 12-team competition there is very little room for error.

They were brave and they tackled their hearts out, but they looked a level below both Ireland and New Zealand and even if they do sneak into the playoffs, they will face one of the top seeds and could make a likely exit.

Right now all they can do is to face Japan and win as comprehensively as they can, hoping to not exit the Olympics before the opening ceremony.

Against New Zealand it went wrong from the start, they lost Quewin Nortje two minutes in with a head knock then watched as New Zealand played basketball rugby to score a ludicrous try through Leo Moses.

The offloads were sublime. The tackling was brave, but in the end there were too many holes to plug.

Selvyn Davids hit back for the Blitzboks, levelling the scores two minutes later and it seemed as if it was game on.

But another 80-metre attack, and a beauty of a pass by Andrew Knewstubb put Ngahori McGarvey-Black over in the corner to give New Zealand the halftime lead.

The second half was a war of attrition, and the penalties racked up against the Blitzboks as they fell on the wrong side of the referee.

The last of which – a dubious high tackle where it seemed the New Zealand player ducked under the tackler – led to the crucial try that took the game away from the South Africans, with Leo Moses capitalising from the quick tap penalty.

BLITZBOKS SECOND BEST AGAINST IRISH

Against Ireland it was closer, but the Blitzboks were second best on the field, even though it was a controversial call that allowed Ireland to score the winning try.

The controversial call, which came halfway in the second half, went against Ryan Oosthuizen as the referee called for TMO intervention for supposed foul play.

But replays showed the hit wasn’t high, and it was Oosthuizen who took the brunt of the hit in an awkward tackle.

Nevertheless, it was decided that there was foul play, despite the lack of evidence, and Oosthuizen was yellow carded and spent the final two minutes in the sinbin.

Shortly after the restart, Terry Kennedy wrongfooted the defence on the blindside and scored, taking his side to 10-0 up.

Selvyn Davids doubled with Rosko Specman for a late try but the crucial restart after the hooter didn’t travel 10 metres and Ireland were let off the hook.

The bad day for African teams continued as Kenya lost to Argentina 31-12 and then 21-7 to Australia.

Favourites France struggled to beat Uruguay 19-12 after a 12-all draw with USA while Fiji smashed the same USA 38-12 in their game to signal their intentions of a medal.

RESULTS – DAY ONE

Australia 21 Samoa 14

Argentina 31 Kenya 12

France 12 USA 12

Fiji 40 Uruguay 12

Ireland 10 South Africa 5

New Zealand 40 Japan 12

Australia 21 Kenya 7

Argentina 28 Samoa 12

France 19 Uruguay 12

Fiji 38 USA 12

Ireland 40 Japan 12