Former SA sevens player Sako Makata in action Former SA sevens player Sako Makata has talked up the chances of the Blitzboks at the Paris Olympics. File Picture: Melissa Lear
Former SA sevens player Sako Makata says the Blitzboks have the potential to win gold at the Paris Olympics.
The Blitzboks begin their Pool A campaign on Wednesday against Ireland at 5.30pm, before their second clash of the day against New Zealand at 9.30pm.
Makata who has switched to 15s rugby, was a member of the Blitzboks team at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 25-year-old was emphatic in his response when asked if the current Blitzboks team had the potential to win the top prize.
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— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) July 15, 2024
“Yes definitely, I believe they can go all the way,” Makata told SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview.
“However, rugby is unpredictable, you just never know what’s going to happen, but I think if the guys approach it with the right mindset and don’t take anything for granted, they can go all the way.”
Makata said the Blitzboks had already shown glimpses of their potential, and performing at their best during the quadrennial showpiece would be key.
On his experience at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Makata said what a privilege it was to play in front of such a big audience.
“It was an amazing experience – I think the Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world and to be part of that and be surrounded by some of the greatest athletes in the world was quite special,” he said.
“it was good, I enjoyed it, I got to travel, see the world, and meet some of my favourite superstars.”
The Olympics would also present a different challenge for the Blitzboks, insisted Makata, with the atmosphere being quite different from a regular World Sevens Series event or World Cup.