Blitzbokke mask disappointment with bronze
It must have been a tough few hours between that 7-5 surprise defeat to Great Britain at the Deodoro stadium and the bronze medal match against Japan, but Neil Powell’s men are a proud and professional unit and they got the job done in style, 54-14.
And, when the dust had settled, a bronze is more than nine other countries, including New Zealand and Australia, achieved at the first rugby installment at an Olympics since 1924.
Fiji went on to win the gold medal, their first of any colour in any sport and Olympics, thumping Great Britain 43-7.
South Africa made their intentions known right from kick-off and within a minute they’d crossed the line – the third time this tournament they’d scored that quickly
after a sweeping movement downfield was finished off by Juan de Jongh, who gave Cecil Afrika an easy conversion.
The bronze medal Team SA's Rugby Sevens squad won was good reward for the hard work delivered by his squad, said the coach of the side, Neil Powell.
South Africa's Blitzboks won bronze with a convincing 54-14 win over Japan, a fine rebound from the disappointment of losing 7-5 to Great Britain in the semifinal play-off earlier in the day.
"This was a special moment for us," said Powell. "Obviously we wanted gold, but bronze is also a great achievement for the team. I want to congratulate Fiji and Great Britain with their gold and silver medals, it was well deserved.
"I also want to thank everyone involved in our efforts over the last couple of years as we prepared for this historic event," Powell said."