Leighton Koopman
The Springbok Sevens received a hero’s welcome after their Olympic Games exploits in Paris, where they claimed Team South Africa’s first medal this past weekend.
A packed arrivals hall awaited the bronze medal winners and received them with a rendition of the national anthem as they touched down in the Mother City.
Thanks to some heroics in the quarter-finals against New Zealand and their trumping of Australia in the third-place play-off, Team SA claimed their second bronze after doing the same in Rio 2016.
Many South Africans had written the team off after two losses on day one of the competition, but despite their struggles, the Blitzboks fought back on the following two days of play to secure third place on Saturday.
Blitzbok captain Selvyn Davids said yesterday they knew they had to do it for South Africa, even for those who had written them off after the start they had.
“After day one there were mixed emotions. Good things were said and some tough things as well. But we knew who and what we were playing for,” Davids said.
“This we didn’t do for ourselves. So, we had to cut those negative messages we received out. It’s those messages of support, especially coming from South Africa, that we carried with us in our hearts. We did it for those who believed in us and even for those who didn’t always have that belief even though some had written us off.
“These things happen in life. I do hope we’ve won back their support and trust because we will need it in the future. This medal means so much to us because we are quite a few guys coming from small towns and I hope this can become an inspiration and hope for many.”
According to Davids, the feeling that they are bronze medal Olympians has slowly settled in, but bits and pieces of the Games are still coming back to them.
He saved the team plenty of times with his attacking and defensive interventions, but the captain credited the team for never giving up even in difficult circumstances. Against New Zealand in the quarter-finals, a match they won 14-7, Davids scored the opening try and made about three crucial tackles on his tryline late in the game to keep the All Blacks from scoring.
Unfortunately, they lost in the semis to hosts France who went on to win the gold, but the tournament will remain one of the highlights of Davids’ career.
“It’s always a team effort, always, but this is very special. I’ve only dreamt about something like this and even though it’s not gold, any medal at the Olympics will always be special. I am proud of the boys and how we fought back after a tough day one to show what we can do.
“Coming home to this support in South Africa is amazing. It’s an emotional feeling and it is as if we are right back on that Olympic podium receiving our medals. I am proud and grateful.”