South Africa exited the men’s Olympic Sevens tournament in the quarterfinal stage losing 14-19 to Argentina on Tuesday in what is one of the greatest Olympic Sevens upsets.
Selvyn Davids crossed over for the game’s first try in the second minute with Justin Geduld adding a conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The Blitzboks were favourites heading into the match and their task appeared to be made easier after Argentina was reduced to six men with Gastón Revol being sent off a minute later.
However, Los Pumas staged a dramatic comeback with two quickfire tries from Marcos Moneta which were both converted by Santiago Mare for a 14-7 halftime lead.
Argentina extended its lead late in the second half with another try from Santiago Álvarez to make it 19-7. South Africa managed to reply with a penalty try following Lautaro Bazan’s sin bin as Argentina finished the game with just five men.
That effort proved to be a mere consolation as the 2016 bronze medallists suffered a shock defeat. Argentina will meet defending champions Fiji in the semifinals.
South Africa are scheduled to play Australia on Wednesday in the 5th-8th place playoffs. South Africa holds a narrow edge in their last five meetings winning three times to Australia’s two.
Earlier on, the continent’s other representatives Kenya were eliminated in the pool phase after failing to win any of their three matches.
Kenya will also play Ireland on Wednesday in the 9th-12th place playoffs having defeated hosts Japan 21-7 in their first playoff match. The two sides had played each other during the pool phase with Ireland running out 12-7 winners.
