South Africa’s Blitzbokke have just completed the biggest shock result of the 2024 Olympic Games to date by defeating New Zealand 14 – 7 in their quarterfinal match up.
Scoring both of their tries in the first half through captain Selvyn Davids and Tristan Leyds, the Bliztbokke rarely looked like scoring from that point on but showed incredible spirit to repel waves of New Zealand attacks.
The All Blacks would score one try of their own two minutes into extra time in the first half as Moses Leo skinned the South African defenders on the left-hand touchline.
Now firmly with a foothold in the match, the New Zealanders looked set to score again as their powerful ball carriers had the South African defenders scrambling.
Employing a bend but don’t break approach, the smaller South African side timed their turnover attempts to perfection to stifle the New Zealanders at key moments.
Whilst defence was the hallmark of the South African performance, their utilisation of the kicking game pinned the New Zealanders back and ensured they had to go from deep on a regular basis.
The victory ensures that South Africa will now compete for a medal where they look set to face hosts France in the semi-finals.
New Zealand on the other hand will play in a pair of play-off matches to determine where they finish between the 5th and 8th positions.
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