South Africa in with a medal chance after ‘special’ quarter-final upset

South Africa have given themselves a very real chance of taking a medal home from the Paris Olympic Games after capping off a “special” second day with a 14-7 win over New Zealand in the quarter-finals at Stade de France.

The South Africans had their backs up against the ropes in pool play. They were beaten by Ireland and New Zealand to start their campaign and needed to bounce back with a comprehensive win over Japan to give themselves a chance.

Japan were never really in the fight with the men from The Rainbow Nation booking themselves a spot in the quarter-finals by winning 49-5. They moved on as one of the best-ranked third-placed teams from the pool stage.

It was almost destiny that South Africa’s traditional rugby rivals New Zealand would wait for them in the knockout rounds. This matchup gave the men in green another chance to prove that they can match it with the best.

Selvyn Davids opened the scoring about three minutes into the contest after slicing through New Zealand’s defensive line with relative ease. With the ball in two hands, the captain charged towards a big gap close to the try line.

Davids was once again in the thick of it after kicking the ball down field, chasing with sheer desperation, and then regathering. The skipper popped the ball up to Tristan Leyds who strolled in for what ended up being the match-winner.

New Zealand scored just before half-time through Moses Leo, but after a thrilling second-term which saw neither team score any points, South Africa held on to book their place in a blockbuster semi-final against Olympic hosts France.

“Today was a special day. Things yesterday did not go our way. We had a tough chat with the boys last night and knew we had to pull it together,” Tristan Leyds said.

“Japan was a good start. We just knew we had to gain some points on the board and get a victory. We got a second chance against New Zealand and the boys produced a special performance in defence.

“People back home did not think we had a chance but where there is a will, there is a way, and the guys put it together and go the ‘W’ against New Zealand.

“The boys showed a massive effort. This team can pull off big surprises like this one. It was pretty special. Hopefully, we can pull off another surprise in the semi-final.”

As for France, they booked their spot in the next stage after outclassing SVNS Series League Winners Argentina 26-14. Team Argentina stumbled on day two with a loss to Australia in pool play which seems to have disrupted their momentum.

Antoine Dupont called on his French teammates to “embrace” the pressure of playing at a home Olympic Games on Wednesday, and the men draped in blue, white and red did just that.

With a packed Stade de France behind them, France will ready themselves for a shot at a guaranteed medal. Whoever wins the semi-final will walk away with either silver or gold, while the loser will scrap it out for bronze.

“We really wanted to make a clean and complete match, to play our game, which we haven’t done since the beginning of the tournament. I’m really proud of the team. When we struggle, it’s hard, but we did well tonight, France’s Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang said.

“Maybe we realised that we are playing the Olympic Games at home. Maybe we got back that hunger that we didn’t have on the first day. Argentina are a very physical team. We knew if we weren’t in the combat zone, we would not go through.

“I know we only won the quarter-final, but to play in a stadium like this. I never felt that in my life. To play in front of 69,000 people is something I could not imagine doing in my life.

“I know there is still a long way to go, but that moment gave us crazy emotions. I was almost in tears at the end. Thanks to the fans, I don’t have the words. Seeing 69,000 for a rugby sevens game, I think we destroyed the previous record by two or three times. I feel so honoured to be here.”

Two-time defending men's Olympic gold medallists Fiji will play Australia in the other semi-final.