The Springbok Sevens side bounced back from a poor start at the Toulouse Sevens to score a telling 24-7 victory over the South Sea magicians Fiji, keeping their hopes of Olympic qualification alive.
Playing in monsoon-like conditions, the Blitzboks were clinical and exceptional on defence against Fiji, and capitalised on the chances that were presented to them.
The win comes after they lost their opening game 31-7 to hosts France where they were totally outclassed.
But the victory over Fiji gives them hope that if they win their final pool game against the USA they could qualify, especially if France beat Fiji in the final pool game for the hosts.
The Blitzboks need to make the semifinals to have a chance of claiming the last Olympic qualifying spot and thereby avoiding a qualification tournament to get into the showpiece games.
Dewald Human opened the scoring in the driving rain before sending a kick-pass to Mfundo Ndlovu to add the second try and give the Blitzboks a 12-7 lead.
But Fiji did well in the second half, tightening up their discipline that saw two yellow cards in the first half and scored through Waisea Nacuqu to make a game of it.
The Blitzboks kept up their relentless attack and watched as Shilton van Wyk toed a ball through in the rain and then toed it again underneath the defender to score a beautiful individual try.
Ricardo Duartee made all the pressure count in the final minute to step his way over the tryline from close range to seal the win.
France already have six points from day one, the Blitzboks four and Fiji and USA three apiece after they drew in their opening game. Therefore a win over the USA should be enough to qualify for the quarterfinals
The Blitzboks face USA at 1:49pm CAT (SA, GMT+2) on Saturday in their final pool game.