Blitzboks stumble against Ireland in their Olympic opener

JOHANNESBURG - The Blitzboks stumbled in the opening match of their 2024 Olympic Games campaign as they lost to Ireland 10-5 at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

The team had hoped for a win in their opening match but spent the majority of the match on the defence against a determined Irish attack.

The Blitzboks spent the first 50 seconds in the Irish half after kicking off, but the next time they got their hands on the ball was with 75 seconds remaining. Ireland twice came close to scoring with one kick-chase rolling over the deadball line and another ball lost in the tackle when reaching for the line.

But Ireland finally got the first points of the game when they scored just before halftime.

The Blitzboks played better in the second half but still weren't threatening the Irish. Then with three minutes remaining, Ryan Oosthuizen was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle and the Irish made their man advantage count.

Blizboks skipper Selvyn Davids pulled a try back in the last minute of the game and the South African went down 10-5.

There are three pools of four teams at the Paris Olympics. The top two automatically go through and the best two third-placed sides join them.

They will play New Zealand later on Wednesday night.