Dogged Blitzboks through to Olympic semis
07/25/2024 03:41 PM
The Blitzboks produced a sensational defensive effort to knock out New Zealand and progress to the Olympic Games semi-finals on Thursday.
An incredible defensive rearguard saw the eighth-ranked Springbok Sevens hold on to a 14-7 lead and avenge their pool-stage defeat to New Zealand in the Olympic medal quarter-finals in Paris.
The Blitzboks move on to play the winner of the second playoff between Argentina and hosts France in the semi-finals at 3.30pm on Saturday.
Captain Selvyn Davids inspired South Africa to a 14-0 lead in the first half, showing a clean pair of heels to score the first try, before kicking over New Zealand’s defence, running 80 metres to gather his own kick and pop the ball to put Tristan Leyds over, who nailed the conversion.
New Zealand hit back just before the break to make it a seven-point game at half-time.
The second half became a war of attrition as New Zealand pushed for a potential equaliser, but found themselves running into a wall.
A heroic effort saw the Blitzboks see out a period of four phases on their own tryline, while Shilton van Wyk made himself a hero by tracking back to make a crucial tackle and turnover in his own 22.
While New Zealand won a turnover at a lineout in the last minute, the experienced head of Siviwe Soyizwapi popped up at the right place to intercept a pass, getting the ball to Tiaan Pretorius to hoof into touch.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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