Team SA came up short in both their matches at the men’s rugby sevens competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, meaning the best they can hope for is to finish third in Pool A, which ironically might not be the worst thing going forward in the draw.
The scenario is now set up for Team SA to beat Japan and play Argentina (or Australia) for a spot in the semi-finals. Equally, they could also again meet either NZ or Ireland in the quarters.
In their opener in front of a near-capacity 80,000 crowd at the Stade de France, Team SA went down 10-5 to Ireland before losing 17-5 to New Zealand.
It was a day when the action began at Paris 2024, with the official opening ceremony on Friday. And, despite France belng held to a draw by the USA and then surviving some anxious moments before seeing off Uruguay, the crowd was in party mood.
However, but the time New Zealand and South Africa squared up in the final match of the evening, there were only about 40,000 people left.
This was shaping into a much-improved performance against the men in black, compared to their subdued effort against Ireland earlier.
New Zealand were first on the board after a thrilling passage of play from inside their own 22, with nearly two minutes on the clock (5-0). However, Team SA were quick to respond and with space down the right, Selvyn Davids went over for an unconverted try (5-5).
Yet another try went New Zealand’s way after an outrageous passage of hand skills saw them go over in the corner to regain the lead, 10-5 at half-time.
The second half also saw the Kiwis running hard, but they were met with physicality in the tackles. Yet, after a couple of ref decisions went against Team SA, it was ultimately New Zealand’s expansive game which told and they added to their try tally with just over two minutes left (17-5).
No one could argue with the result of Team SA’s earlier setback against Ireland on this warm Wednesday afternoon.
Team SA spent the first 50 seconds in the Irish half after kicking off, but the nerxt time they got their hands on the ball was with 75 seconds remaining. Ireland twice came close to scoring with one kick-chase rolling over the deadball line and another ball lost in the tackle when reaching for the line.
Team SA’s defence stood strong and had their opponents going from side to side, without breaking the wall for much of the first half. Then, Ireland finally unlocked the defence to go over for a try and lead 5-0 at the interval.
Team SA were much better after the restart but despite, they never threatened the Irish line. And when Ryan Oosthuizen was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle with three minutes remaining, things look bleak. So it was when the Irish took advantage of the one-man advantage and when Selvyn Davids finally put Team SA on the board, there was only time for the restart.
That restart kick didn’t go the full 10 metres and the Irish were home and hosed.
There were four teams who went unbeaten on the opening day – New Zealand and Ireland (pool A),, Australia and Argentina (Pool B) and Fiji (Pool C).
WEDNESDAY’S MEN’S RUGBY SEVENS RESULTS
Pool A
Ireland 10 Team SA 5
Ireland 40 Japan 5
New Zealand 40 Japan 12
New Zealand 17 Team SA 5
Pool B
Australia 21 Samoa 14
Australia 21 Kenya 7
Argentina 31 Kenya 12
Argentina 28 Samoa 12
Pool C
Fiji 40 Uruguay 12
Fiji 38 USA 12
France 12 USA 12
France 19 Uruguay 12
Photo: Roger Sedres/Team SA
INFO SOURCED FROM SASCOC WEBSITE.
