The Blitzboks kicked off their 2024 Olympic Games campaign with a narrow loss to Ireland at a packed Stade de France in Paris on Wednesday.
Jordan Conroy made no mistake getting the Irish in front on the stroke of half time, and Terry Kennedy doubled their lead after the restart. Skipper Selvyn Davids pulled one back for the Blitzboks before the final hooter but it was too little, too late and the men from the Emerald Isle held on for a 10-5 win.
Philip Snyman’s charges will next face New Zealand at 9:30pm in their final game of the day, before taking on Japan on Thursday (4pm) in their final Pool A match.
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Earlier, hosts France struggled to live up to pre-tournament billing as favourites, held to a 12-12 draw by the United States.
The Les Bleus side featuring Antoine Dupont, arguably the world’s greatest 15-a-side player, were left to rue several errors in possession that opened the door for their lesser-ranked opponents.
Meanwhile, double Olympic champions Fiji burnished their own title credentials, swatting aside Uruguay 40-12 with typical Fijian flair.
Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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