Tiaan Pretorius South Africa in action during the men’s Rugby Sevens quarterfinal against New Zealand at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 25 July 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Christophe Petit Tesson) 
South Africa’s Sevens team is on the verge of securing the country’s first medal at the Olympic Games after defying the odds to make the semifinals by defeating New Zealand 14-7 in the quarterfinals.
South African players celebrate after winning the men’s Rugby Sevens quarterfinal against New Zealand at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 25 July 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Christophe Petit Tesson)
After a disastrous Sevens season, South Africa were the last team to qualify for the Olympic Games after winning a repechage tournament six weeks ago in Paris.
They lost their opening two matches on day one in Paris against Ireland and New Zealand before thumping Japan 49-5 on day two to sneak into the quarterfinals of the Games as the lowest-ranked side.
But when the lights were brightest, South Africa managed a brave and wholehearted victory over the top seeds, New Zealand.
The SA Sevens team displayed their best performance since their Dubai series win in December.
Selvyn Davids of South Africa in action during the men’s Rugby Sevens quarterfinal against New Zealand at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 25 July 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Christophe Petit Tesson)
South Africa’s victory was built on a lionhearted defence. Twice they repelled the New Zealand attack when they were within centimetres of scoring.
New Zealand dominated ball possession, but struggled to cross the tryline.
South Africa’s captain Selvyn Davids was the heart of their attack.
He scored a brilliant try, weaving between two New Zealand defenders, and set up another through fantastic counterattack play.
Tristan Leyds converted both with his pinpoint boot.
A tight victory
Wet conditions at the Stade de France in Paris saw New Zealand uncharacteristically misplace a few passes and knock the ball on.
Davids capitalised on South Africa’s first period of sustained possession when he opened the scoring.
Minutes later, with the tryline at their mercy, New Zealand threw one too many offloads and South Africa countered swiftly through the skipper, who hacked the ball ahead and chased it down.
He kept his composure with New Zealand defenders hunting him down and popped the ball up to Leyds, who scored close to the corner and converted to give South Africa a 14-0 lead with halftime beckoning.
With the last play of the half, New Zealand struck back through Moses Leo as the men in black scored their first points of the match, despite having most of the possession and territory, to close the gap to seven points.
Tiaan Pretorius of South Africa in action during the men’s Rugby Sevens quarterfinal against New Zealand at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on 25 July 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Christophe Petit Tesson)
The second half was a nil-nil stalemate as New Zealand’s attacking endeavour was neutralised by South Africa’s relentless defence.
South Africa now have two shots at an Olympic medal. If they win their semifinal, they are guaranteed a gold or silver medal in the final. If they lose the semifinal, they will contest for the bronze medal in a third/fourth-place playoff.
A stuttering start
South Africa came into day two needing to beat Japan by 21 points to reach the quarterfinals as the eighth-placed qualifier after consecutive defeats against New Zealand (17-5) and Ireland (10-5) on day one on Wednesday.
They did that and more by thumping the Japanese 49-5. The foundation of the win was laid with five first-half tries as South Africa’s execution was sharper than their display on the opening day.
South Africa will play hosts France in their semifinal on Saturday. DM