Lucky Maree
As the Blitzboks and Fiji step onto the field it is hard to remember that it was only a year ago that South Africa, favourites to win Olympic gold, made such a mess that they came home empty handed?
Was it only eight weeks ago that South Africa finished 10th in Toulouse after losing to Scotland in the semi-finals?
When coach Neil Powell admitted that the team seemed to have forgotten their ethos but promised they would get it right, it was hard to believe.
And yet, suddenly the Blitzboks are 14 minutes away from bringing gold home to South Africa. They have played a near perfect tournament. Can their discipline and structures beat the flair of the free-wheeling Fijians?
There is no easy going atmosphere as play starts, but Fiji concede some penalties and the Blitzboks try in the right hand corner off a kick pass seems inevitable – so does a second try in the same spot.
A third try comes a few seconds before halftime.
In the vital first minute of the second half Fiji start strongly but their first mistake leads to a Blitzboks try.
With three minutes to go Fiji score a seven-pointer.
But the Blitzboks respond like a German blitzkrieg as they overrun the Fijians. Even Neil Powell breaks out into a smile. Gold for South Africa. A very special moment in the history of South African rugby.
South Africa 31-7 Fiji
South Africa: Tries: JC Pretorius, Shaun Williams, Muller du Plessis, Angelo Davids, Mfundo
Ndhlovu
Conversions: Three
Fiji: Tries: Waisea Nacuqu
Conversions: One
