The Springbok Sevens team kept their hopes of Olympic qualification alive after a magnificent 24-7 win over the USA to ensure qualification for the quarterfinals of the Toulouse7s on Saturday.
That win, as well as their incredible victory over Fiji in monsoon rain on Friday night was enough to get them through despite being walloped by France in their opening game earlier on Friday.
The French side came from behind to beat Fiji in their final game to top the group and will be one of the favourites to claim the title as the competition moves to the knockout stages.
But for the Blitzboks after a season of injuries and poor performances, the two wins in the group stage were greeted with glee as they still have their own destiny in their hands.
They need to make the semifinals to stay in the race for qualification, and will face Argentina in the quarterfinals at 19.05 on Saturday evening. Argentina earlier qualified for the Olympics by winning their pool, becoming the third side after hosts France and log leaders New Zealand to secure qualification.
There are two spots left and the Blitzboks will want a strong finish to be one of them.
And the grit and determination they displayed in both their wins showed there is still a lot of fight left in the side.
The Blitzboks scored four tries to one in their win over the USA, with their first try coming from Ronald Brown, who spotted a gap after the opening move to run 80 metres to score.
Some weak tackling allowed USA back into the game as Malacci Esdale put the USA into the front.
The Blitzboks lost Dewald Human for a tip tackle for two minutes, but were on attack as the half wound down despite being a man down.
The bonus of having a playmaker that suits their style came into play in the second half, as Human returned to put Christie Grobbelaar through the gap to get them back in front before he scored himself to give the Blitzboks some daylight.
Some exceptional defence - especially a massive tackle by Justin Geduld, stopped the USA’s momentum as the Blitzboks then pressed to seal the game. And Shaun Williams showed some great strength with two tacklers on his back to go over for the final try on the final hooter to make his teammates smile.
Phase one is now done, but they know the road is steep and Argentina have been one of the most consistent sides on the World Series, and will be favourites when they meet later on Saturday.