The Blitzboks crashed out of the France Sevens with a gut-wrenching 21-19 defeat to Australia, a outcome that sees the South Africans lacking out on automated qualification for yr’s Olympic Games.
The Blitzboks will now need to go the continental qualifier path to qualify for subsequent yr’s Paris Olympics.
The high 4 sides on this yr’s World Rugby Sevens Series qualify for the Olympics mechanically and the defeat to Australia will see them qualify into the highest tier subsequent weekend in London, the place the final match of the present collection will probably be performed.
South Africa will now need to compete within the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup later within the yr in an effort to attempt and qualify.
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HOW THE AUSSIES TOPPLED THE BLITZBOKS
The South Africans began sturdy in opposition to Australia, with Mfundo Ndhlovu darting by way of within the second minute and a 5-0 lead. Australia pulled one again three minutes later with their transformed attempt giving them a 7-5 lead. A attempt on the buzzer, by Shaun Williams, transformed by Ronald Brown pushed the Blitzboks right into a 12-7 lead on the break.
Australia scored from the second half restart and prolonged that 14-12 to 21-12 with two minutes to play, with Maurice Longbottom dotting down.
James Murphy did pull one again and Justin Geduld’s conversion made it a two-point sport. The Blitzboks had one closing likelihood to assault, however was pinged for holding on in a deal with, giving the Aussies the chance to shut out the sport with a contact finder.
ALSO READ: Mixed fortunes as Blitzboks down Fiji, however fall sufferer to France
QUARTER-FINAL LOSS TO ARGENTINA ON SATURDAY
The loss to Australia, comes after the Blitzboks had been eradicated from the Cup competition on the quarter-final stage by Argentina final night time.
Argentina beat them 21-12 to advance to the ultimate 4.
“We let ourselves down with this game,” stated captain Siviwe Soyizwapi, who was taking part in in his 50th match.
“We had every thing to play for and may have gained a lot wanted factors, particularly as each Samoa and Australia handed us that chance, however we didn’t take it. And we solely have ourselves guilty.
“It is frustrating, we did so well against Fiji and USA and that gave us a very good opportunity to get some valuable points, but then we didn’t sustain the effort against Argentina. I wish I can lay my finger on why, but I can’t to be honest.”
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