Blitzboks hit Olympic qualification roadblock but coach Ngcobo remains optimistic

The Blitzboks have hit a significant roadblock in their quest for automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games, following a joint-12th-placed finish at the HSBC Singapore Sevens on Sunday.

The team was unable to build on their excellent performance in Hong Kong the previous weekend, which has led to them slipping down the overall HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series log.

Before the tournament, the Blitzboks were sitting in fifth position on the log, with the top four teams earning automatic entry into the 2024 Games in Paris.

However, the team's disappointing showing in Singapore has allowed Australia and Samoa to gain ground and move up to fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Blitzbok coach Sandile Ngcobo expressed his frustration, stating that injuries to key players undid the team's momentum from the previous week.

"We really grew last week and with some marginal calls going against us, as well as the bounce of the ball, things could have gone different, as all our defeats were close ones," said Ngcobo.

"Coming to Singapore, we hoped to see that momentum coming into our play and the good things being done better. Sadly, that was not the case."

The team had been hoping to build on their strong showing in Hong Kong, but instead struggled to find their form in Singapore.

Injuries have plagued the Blitzboks throughout the World Series, and once again, the team was forced to play with only nine fit players.

Ngcobo acknowledged the challenges the team faced but refused to make excuses, stating that they did their best to stay in the fight but were unable to secure the results they needed.

"Again, we lost our decision-makers and playmakers in the run-in, and it does make it really tough to bounce back from that every time," he