South Africa’s Blitzboks stormed into the quarter-finals of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with a commanding 49-5 victory over Japan. The win secured their spot in the final eight, setting up a highly anticipated clash against New Zealand at 21h00 on Thursday night at Stade de France.
The Blitzboks entered their final Pool A match with a clear mission: win by at least 21 points to advance. From the kickoff, they showcased their dominance, racing to a 35-0 lead by halftime.
The South African side’s relentless pressure and clinical finishing saw them score five tries in the first half alone, leaving Japan struggling to keep pace.
Zain Davids, Impi Visser, Ryan Oosthuizen, Rosko Specman, and Shilton van Wyk all crossed the try line in the first half, with Ronald Brown and Tristan Leyds converting the majority of the tries to pile on the points.
The Blitzboks’ performance was characterized by their superior handling, tactical kicking, and physicality at the breakdown, which left Japan with little room to maneuver.
Despite their commanding lead, the Blitzboks did not ease off after the break. Although Japan managed a mini-comeback with a try from Kazuma Ueda early in the second half, it was merely a consolation.
South Africa responded with two more tries, bringing their total to seven for the match. Oosthuizen and Van Wyk added to their tallies, ensuring the Blitzboks’ victory was as emphatic as possible.
Rosko Specman, who scored one of the seven tries, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. “Coach Philip (Snyman) asked us one thing in the change room and that was to get the joy back of playing for this team, the same joy we displayed in Monaco,” Specman said.
“We had some ball to play with and it was joy all over. We are still in the tournament and that is a huge boost of confidence.”
The Blitzboks’ journey to the quarter-finals was not without its challenges. On the second day of the tournament, they had to replace the injured Quewin Nortje with Ronald Brown.
However, the team adapted quickly, and Brown’s impact was immediately felt as he slotted two crucial conversions in the match against Japan.
With the win, South Africa set up a tantalizing quarter-final showdown against arch-rivals New Zealand. The two teams have a storied history in Sevens rugby, and their encounter promises to be a highlight of the Olympic Games. The Blitzboks will need to replicate their form from the pool stages and bring their A-game to overcome
As the Blitzboks prepare for their quarter-final clash, the confidence within the squad is palpable. Their dominant performance against Japan has not only secured their place in the final eight but also reignited the joy and passion that define South African rugby.
The road to the podium is still fraught with challenges, but with their current form, the Blitzboks are poised to make a significant impact in Paris.
Quarter-final Schedule:
21h00: South Africa vs. New Zealand
21h30: Argentina vs. France
22h00: Fiji vs. Ireland
22h30: Australia vs. United States
As the Blitzboks march into the knockout stages, fans can expect a fierce and exhilarating contest against New Zealand, with the hope of seeing South Africa continue their quest for Olympic glory.
Source : SA RUGBY
