Ireland vs South Africa Prediction & Betting Tips - Men's Olympics Rugby

Prediction published on 23/07/2024, 13:38  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 23/07/2024 at 13:42 in Predictions

Pool A of the rugby sevens competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics will kick off with Ireland taking on South Africa on Wednesday afternoon. This match will pit the world's number two Shamrocks against the seventh-ranked Blitzboks. Pool A also features New Zealand and Japan. Let’s get into the prediction. 

Ireland have come on leaps and bounds in the 7s game over the last few years and are now among the favourites to win the gold medal at this year’s Games. They booked their spot in the competition by beating Great Britain in the final of the 2023 European Games in June.  

The Shamrock will head into their first match in Paris following six consecutive victories on the SVNS circuit. They have not lost a match in the format since the start of June and have only suffered one defeat in their last 11 games. 

The last time these sides faced each other was on June 2 and Ireland won the match 12-7 in Spain. 

Meanwhile, the Blitzboks were the final men’s team to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and did so by securing victory over Great Britain at the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco late last month. 

They came through that tournament with six consecutive victories and have won seven of their last 10 in all competitions. Their losses in that time came against Fiji, New Zealand and their opponents in this match. 

South Africa have only beaten Ireland once in their last six meetings and are the clear outsiders in this match.