Blitzboks target semis, warn France and Fiji
The Fiji Airways Fijian men’s rugby sevens team is in the pool of death in this weekend’s Toulouse tournament in France.
The Ben Gollings-coached side takes on hosts France, South Africa and United States (USA) in pool C.
The Blitzboks have indicated to News24, that they are aiming to reach the Cup semifinal so they stand a chance of qualifying for next year’s Paris Olympic Games. Come the Toulouse Sevens, they will approach the tournament as an Olympic trial, says coach Sandile Ngcobo.
Currently seventh in the standings, the Blitzboks need to reach the semifinals to stay in the race for automatic qualification for the Olympic Games.
New Zealand and hosts France have already secured their tickets to Paris 2024, with the three remaining spots to be filled over the next two weekends.
Argentina can qualify by making the semifinals, and Fiji can secure their spot by winning the tournament, so South Africa have it all to play for, which Ngcobo acknowledged.
“We had a good look at who we are playing in our pool and realised that it is actually a carbon copy of what can happen at the Olympics,” said Ngcobo. “Considering next year’s Games, our Pool C is a ‘mini-Olympics’ of its own.
Our first game is against France, who will host next year and is hosting here in Toulouse.
“They will have massive home support in their opening match, and we expect no favours.
“There will be no other team more motivated to beat you than France, and we have them first up. .
“Our second game is against Fiji, the double Olympic gold medal winners, who will be very eager to confirm their qualification status by winning the tournament.
“Again, we will be tested like no other by their style of play and their desire to do well.”
The USA awaits on Saturday. “They are also not guaranteed qualification, and few teams will be so motivated by making it to the Olympics like the USA, as they are probably the country with the proudest history and tradition at the Olympic Games in general,” Ngcobo said.
“So, they will be really pumped as well. We will face three teams who will be motivated for different reasons, but all because of the Olympics.
“If we do well here and can qualify for Paris 2024, chances are that we will have to do the same again, only at a different venue. So yes, this is our Olympic trial run, despite us not having confirmed qualification.
“That said, we are not looking past our first game against France in France,” explained Ngcobo.