The Springbok Sevens team had a weekend of disappointment after their hopes of finishing fifth at the Toulouse Sevens were dashed, leaving them with the task of qualifying through a regional tournament for a chance to compete in the Olympic Games next year.
The Blitzboks faced an uphill battle heading into the weekend, with a semi-final appearance required to keep their qualification hopes alive. However, underwhelming performances by Australia and Samoa, the two teams ahead of them in the standings, provided a ray of hope. If the Blitzboks defeat Australia on Sunday, the final qualification spot for the upcoming London Sevens will be determined.
Unfortunately, the Blitzboks’ hopes were dashed as Australia turned the tide in the second half, scoring two quick tries to secure a 21-19 victory. As a result, the Blitzboks must earn their place through the Africa Cup qualification route for the first time since the introduction of Sevens at the Olympics.
Australia will now compete for the coveted final qualifying spot, joining New Zealand, France, and Fiji as this weekend’s successful qualifiers. The Blitzboks will have to navigate the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup to secure their berth—a situation that is equally critical for Kenya, which typically dominates that tournament and now faces missing out on the Olympics.
Kenya’s predicament worsened as Spain secured their place in the streamlined 12-team Sevens series for the following season, putting Kenya in danger of relegation to the newly formed Challenge Series.
While the Springbok Sevens team put in a tremendous effort at the HSBC France Sevens, the results did not reflect their dedication. In the midst of the disappointment, coach Sandile Ngcobo offered a more optimistic outlook.
In a closely contested match, the Blitzboks were defeated by Australia 21-19 in the fifth-place semi-final. Ngcobo stated that if the outcome had been different, he would have had more positive memories of the Toulouse event.
The results in Toulouse confirmed Argentina and Fiji’s qualification for the Olympic Games, following New Zealand’s earlier qualification in Singapore. The fourth and final qualifier will be determined this weekend in London.
Australia currently leads the World Series standings with 125 points, giving the Blitzboks a slim chance of overtaking them with 116 points.
Ngcobo admitted that the team did not always receive the recognition it deserved. Despite this, he emphasised the positives, such as the inclusion of five returning players who performed well in high-profile matches throughout the tournament.
While frustration arose following a lacklustre performance against France, the Blitzboks bounced back with convincing victories over Fiji and the United States, securing their place in the quarterfinals. However, they were defeated by Argentina, the eventual runners-up in Toulouse.
Ngcobo emphasised that the season is far from over, providing a window of opportunity for the team to improve.
Finally, the Blitzboks’ failure at the Toulouse Sevens has shifted their focus to the Africa Cup qualification route as they seek a spot in the Olympic Games. Despite the setback, Coach Ngcobo remains optimistic, emphasising the team’s determination to make the most of the remaining opportunities and improve their performance moving forward.
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