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Team GB beat South Africa 7-5 to reach the Olympic final against Fiji (23:00)
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South Africa will now face Japan in the battle for bronze (22:30 kick-off)
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Dan Norton’s converted score secured the narrow win for Team GB
Team GB will battle Fiji for gold in the final of the Olympic Rugby Sevens after upsetting the odds to beat South Africa at the Deodoro Stadium on Thursday.
The Blitzbokkes will now face Japan as they hope to take bronze. The Cherry Blossoms, who Team GB beat during the Pool stage, were beaten in the other semi-final 20-5 by the gold medal-favourites Fiji.
It was another nail-biter for Team GB as they followed up yesterday’s dramatic extra-time victory against Argentina with this win. South Africa led via Kyle Brown’s try but Dan Norton’s effort was crucially converted before Great Britain held on.
Great Britain had the opening penalty but the ball went loose and Rosko Specman gathered and charged up the field before Kyle Brown eventually received the ball to score the first points of the semi-final. Cecil Afrika couldn’t add the extras and that is how the game remained heading into the break, 0-5.
Team GB though replied after the break with Dan Norton turning on the afterburners before some silky footwork got him in under the posts. Captain Tom Mitchell then added the extras to put his side narrowly 7-5 ahead.
GB then defended for their lived before eventually turning it over and booting it off the field.
Fiji 20-5 Japan
Fiji booked a spot in the Gold Medal match after showing their class against Japan, scoring four tries to one. Vatemo Ravouvou, Josua Tuisova, Semi Kunatani and Jerry Tuwai crossed for the Fijians while Teruya Goto scored for Japan. The win also guarantees their country’s first ever medal in Olympic history.
Other Day Three Results
Brazil 0-24 Kenya – A hat-trick from Billy Odhiambo led Kenya to victory over Brazil, with Willie Ambaka also crossing to secure eleventh place for the Kenyans. Odhiambo scored twice in the first-half before adding another after Ambaka’s 12th minute effort.
USA 24-12 Spain – USA ended their Rio campaign on a positive note as they defeated Spain thanks to tries from Danny Barrett, Carlin Isles (2) and Maka Unufe. Spain crossed the line first through Pablo Fontes before Angel Lopez scored in the second-half.
New Zealand 24-19 France – New Zealand progressed into the fifth-place game with tries from Regan Ware (2), Akira Ioane and Rieko Ioane seeing them prevail. Stephen Parez (2) and Sacha Valleau scored for France who go into the seventh-place match.
Argentina 26-21 Australia – Two late tries from Matías Moroni helped Argentina come from behind to beat Australia and book a clash with New Zealand for fifth spot. Gaston Revol also scored two while Tom Cusack (2) and Con Foley crossed for Australia.
