Team South Africa can take inspiration from the courageous men’s Sevens medal win

Selvyn Davids of Team South Africa is tackled by Henry Hutchison of Team Australia during the Men’s Rugby Sevens bronze medal match at the Olympic Games in Paris at Stade de France on 27 July 2024. (Photo: by Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

28 Jul 2024

Only a day after the opening ceremony, South Africa had their first medal: a bronze in the men’s Sevens rugby after claiming a tightly fought 24-19 victory over Australia on Saturday evening in the third-place playoff.

team sa bronze men’s sevens Impi Visser of Team South Africa is tackled by Henry Hutchinson of Team Australia during the Men’s Rugby Sevens bronze medal match at the Olympic Games in Paris at Stade de France on 27 July 2024. (Photo by Hannah Peters / Getty Images)

Before the start of the Olympic Games, South Africa’s quest for medals in Paris appeared as daunting a challenge as it was in Tokyo three years ago.

Then it was only Tatjana Smith (née Schoenmaker) and Bianca Buitendag who won medals for the country.

But already, only a day after the opening ceremony, South Africa had their first medal: a bronze in the men’s Sevens rugby after claiming a tight-fought 24-19 victory over Australia on Saturday evening in the third-place playoff.

Despite it being South Africa’s second bronze medal in the event — SA’s star-studded Sevens side finished third in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 — the chances of repeating the achievement were a lot slimmer this time.

The men’s Sevens team endured one of their worst seasons yet and were the last side to qualify for the Olympics through a repechage tournament a few weeks before the start of the Games.

“With everything in place, to think where we’re coming from, the last side to qualify, to come away with the bronze medal, a lot of credit to the team,” said head coach Philip Snyman.

“It’s all about the players, they trained extremely hard. We put plans in place and they came out firing. I’m really proud of all the guys.

“We went into the changerooms not happy about the semifinals. We had France against the ropes then we just let go.” (South Africa lost 19-5.)

“We had a tough one against the French. We had opportunities but the French were better than us and they used their opportunities better than us.”

team sa bronze men’s sevens Selvyn Davids of Team South Africa is tackled by Henry Hutchison of Team Australia during the Men’s Rugby Sevens bronze medal match at the Olympic Games in Paris at Stade de France on 27 July 2024. (Photo: by Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)

Nonetheless, South Africa were good enough against the Aussies a few hours later to win the bronze medal.

It was Snyman’s second bronze — he won the first as part of the playing cohort in 2016.

“Looking back at my playing days in 2016, we basically took it for granted, but it’s very special now,” said Snyman.

Rocket Rosko

Legendary SA Sevens player Rosko Specman is the only player from the 2016 group who went on to claim a second medal eight years later.

“What a journey it has been for me, to earn two medals eight years apart — that is special,” the 35-year-old said.

“But even more special is the journey we had to get to this point. From the dark moments in Harare, where we missed out on qualification, to Monaco, where we used our final chance.

“We may have been the last team in, but we are bronze medallists. Well done to the coaches and management who got this group to believe it is possible.”

Specman became only the 10th South African to win an Olympic medal at two separate Games.

The Sevens’ underdog story is the perfect inspiration for other SA athletes. DM

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Rocket Rosko