Blitzboks' chances of automatic Olympic qualification over after loss to Argentina in Toulouse

Argentina dominated their quarter-final clash against the Blitzboks at the Toulouse Sevens on Saturday as they ran out 21-12 winners.

South Africa need to at least reach the semi-finals in France to keep their hopes of automatic qualification for the Olympics on track. 

The Blitzboks started poorly as Marcos Moneta opened the scoring when he cut inside and then outpaced South Africa's defence to get over for a converted score and a 7-0 lead for Argentina after just a minute.

Ill discipline from South Africa saw them concede three penalties in the half, which stifled any chance of producing an attacking threat as they simply never had the ball. 

While Argentina were in the ascendency, the Blitzboks' defence did hold out as the teams went into half-time at 7-0. 

Any hope South Africa had of forcing their way back into the match ended early in the second stanza as Moneta collected a kick ahead to score a converted try under the posts for a 14-0 lead. 

Another score by Lucian Gonzalez straight from kick-off rubbed salt in the Blitzboks' wounds as Argentina continued to dominate with a 21-0 lead.

While James Murphy pulled two tries back for South Africa with Argentina a man down, it was a case of too little too late for Sandile Ngcobo's charges.

The Blitzboks will now take on Australia on Sunday at 12:38 (SA time) in a 5th-place semi-final play-off encounter.