Reaching the semifinals puts unbeaten Fiji on course for a third consecutive Olympic rugby sevens gold medal.
At the Stade de France on Thursday, Fiji advanced to the semifinals of the rugby union competition, keeping them on course for a third straight Olympic gold medal.
But New Zealand and Argentina, the silver and bronze medal winners from the Tokyo Games, were eliminated.
While South Africa, the 12th and final team to qualify just a month ago, was back in the semifinals for the first time since the first Olympic sevens in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, host nation France and Australia also made history by making it to the semifinals.
Fiji defeated Ireland 19–15 in the quarterfinals after trailing the entire time.
Australia defeated the United States 18-0, South Africa shocked New Zealand 14-7, and Argentina fell to France 26-14.
France takes against South Africa in the semifinals on Saturday, while Fiji takes on Australia.
South Africa 14, New Zealand 7
On Wednesday, South Africa fell to New Zealand 17–5 in the pool stages, but they stormed to a 14-0 lead in the quarterfinal.In addition to scoring the first try, Captain Selvyn Davids responded in front of the South African tryline late in the half after a fumbled New Zealand ball. Davids dribbled, hacked, and then popped up to score a goal for Tristan Leyds. Leyds transformed the two.
However, New Zealand managed to hold onto the ball well into additional time, and Moses Leo found Rosko Specman to cross for a converted try.
In the second half, New Zealand kept coming at them, but South Africa’s defense was outstanding. Ronald Brown’s last-ditch tackle put an end to an intense game while Davids and Ryan Oosthuizen held firm on their tryline. Shilton van Wyk also made a try-saving tackle on a breakaway Akuila Rokolisoa.
France 26, Argentina 14
The 69,000-strong crowd was ecstatic as France had a virtually flawless first half.
After Andy Timo scored by cutting past his defender, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang scored twice in a span of three minutes, the first coming from a ruck turnover and the second following an offload by Jefferson-Lee Joseph. For a 21-0 lead, Rayan Rebbadj converted all three.
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In contrast to France’s dominance in the World Series Grand Final in Madrid, Argentina rallied behind its two finest players, Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta, to pull within 21-14.
However, Argentina was unable to regain possession of the ball with more than two minutes remaining, one of them with a man advantage due to Jordan Sepho’s sin-bin.
Antoine Dupont, the last-second substitute, quickly tapped to himself and scooted 25 meters without stopping to seal the victory as France instead grinded out the minutes.
Fiji 19, Ireland 15
In the quarterfinals, Fiji appeared to be continuing their dominance from the pool as Iosefo Baleiwairiki scored after just 30 seconds with a strong charge from within his half.
However, Ireland was patient and led 10–7 at the break after Chay Mullins ran over for two touchdowns.
Ireland’s third try and 15–7 came from Zac Ward reaching out to the left corner flag in the second half, but importantly, they were unable to add any more.
The protest in Fiji began at its own tryline.
After breaking away from his 22-man, Selesitino Ravutaumada was at the other end to offload, allowing Joji Nasova to score and putting Fiji behind by three.
After Ireland failed to make the catch, Baleiwairiki slapped the ball back, and Terio Tamani Veilawa’s conversion of Waisea Nacuqu’s try put Fiji ahead once again.
