Blitzboks thrash Japan to advance to Olympic Games Sevens quarterfinals

JOHANNESBURG - Team SA are through to the quarterfinals of the men’s Sevens rugby competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics after they swamped Japan 49-5 in their final group game at a packed Stade de France on Thursday.

Going into their final pool game, they needed to win by a 21-point margin after losing to Ireland and New Zealand on the first day.

The resounding victory means Team SA meets New Zealand again at 9pm on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

Victory would set up a semifinal against either Argentina or France.

South Africa’s intent was evident from the start in their clash against Japan, as Zain Davids went over within a minute and the second try, by Impi Visser, came within three minutes.

When Shilton van Wyk crossed the whitewash, Tristin Leyds converted for a 21-0 lead after only five minutes.

Yet another try, the fourth of the first half, arrived when Ryan Oosthuizen dotted down, again converted by Leyds (28-0). Oosthuizen scored his second of the game and Leyds did the extra as Team SA swaggered to a 35-0 half-time lead.

Coach Philip Snyman rang the changes after the break, with Visser, Selvyn Davids and Leyds all making way, and Japan crossed for their first try, unconverted (35-5).

However, any thought of a comeback from Japan was extinguished when Rosko Specman dotted down, converted by Ronald Brown. Specman then came off at 42-5 ahead to make place for Sivivi Soyizwapi.

Van Wyk wasn’t finished though and he bagged his second try, which Brown converted, as Team SA made an emphatic statement.