The Blitzboks finally found their feet and powered their way into the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games Sevens tournament after hammering Japan 49-5 in their final pool match at the Stade de France in Paris on Thursday afternoon.
A tough day one of the tournament, which saw the Blitzboks lose to both Ireland and New Zealand , saw their Olympic hopes hanging by a thread.
However their big win over Japan ensured that they would be one of the two best third placed teams in the pool stage, which allowed them to progress to the knockouts.
The USA are the highest ranked third placed team after garnering six points in the pool stage, while the Blitzboks are level with Samoa on five points, but progress ahead of them thanks to their superior points difference.
The Blitzboks will now face New Zealand in their quarterfinal on Thursday night, and having lost to them 17-5 in the pool stage, will have to significantly up their game if they are to make it to the semifinals.
