#AUDIO: No sign of Specmagic slowing down
In a stunning display of resilience and tremendous character, BlitzBok star Rosko Specman has etched his name in South African sports history at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Specman and his South African Sevens teammates received a heroes’ welcome when they touched down at the Cape Town International Airport.
And it was certainly fitting as the BlitzBoks returned with the Republic’s first Olympic 2024 medal.
BlitzBoks regarded as the underdogs, having qualified only last month and seeded 12th out of 12 teams, stunned the Stade France crowd as they beat Australia for the bronze medal.
The team had to overcome two pool defeats to Ireland and New Zealand and produced a massive defensive effort in their quarterfinal victory in a rematch against New Zealand.
It is the second bronze medal for the South Africa Sevens side and a second for Specman, who was part of the team that earned a bronze in Rio in 2016.
Touchdown 🇿🇦
The #BlitzBoks received a heroes welcome👏 #Rugby365 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/7OMRaIYX7g
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“This medal shows the character of this team,” the player nicknamed SpecMagic said.
“It has been a tough season for us- ups and downs- but we showed what we can put together.
“The first day did not go our way against Ireland and New Zealand, but we knew if we stuck to the basics and played as a collective we could be successful.
“There are still great things to come in the future for this team.”
Specman added: “From here we can just build on into the next season.
“We will have a month off and then we have to prepare for Dubai SVNS.”
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Specman became the first Sevens star to become a double Olympic medalist as a player.
He is the sole survivor of the Rio 2016 side, with coach Philip Snyman also part of the brigade eight years ago.
Quizzed about the big difference between the two campaigns, he said: “When you look back at 2016 we had a great season, we were leading the series by two tournaments and already won the World SVNS series, and there were some big names.
“We were the favourites. However, if you look at this one there were more fight.
“We knew we didn’t have a successful season and the guys knew we had to stay together as a collective.
“It could’ve been a different colour but at the end of the day the Lord knows why He gave us bronze and not gold.”
After turning 35 this year, one might assume that Specman would have thoughts of perhaps hanging up his boots with loads of athletes’ careers heading into its decline at this stage.
However reflecting on his career and achievements, the veteran believes he still has enough magic for one more World Cup SVNS – pencilled to take place in 2026.
“If I look back at my career, it is something to be proud of,” the former Cheetahs and Bulls back stated.
“I’m a double Springbok, I’m now a double bronze medalist, I have a double World SVNS Series, I have one Sevens World Cup, so I’m targeting another Sevens World Cup because I want to make everything double, double, double.
“So not slowing down now.
“Coach [Philip Snyman] even utilised me at the wing where I will have a more playmaking-sweeper-flyhalf type of role where I feel more comfortable.
“But wherever this team wants me to play whether in the forwards or the wing, I will do it.”
The veteran said he will dedicate the Paris 2024 medal to his wife Amber, especially with the Rio 2016 one save in the home of his mom.
Specman is the 10th South African to have won medals from two Games, a feat that swimmer Tatjana Smith matched when she secured Gold – making her No.11.
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