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Cape Town - South Africa Sevens duo Werner Kok and Cecil Afrika labelled their Bronze medals at the Olympics as being one of their career highlights.
Kok and Afrika were two members of the Blitzboks team that comprehensively beat Japan 54-14 in the Bronze Medal match in Rio on Thursday.
"It is a phenomenal feeling," said Kok, who was named the World Sevens Player of the Year at the end of 2015.
"Just to be able to compete here and represent your country, to play for this team and be part of the Olympics was an achievement in itself. To add a medal, even if it is bronze and not the gold we came here for, is awesome."
Afrika, who was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2011, shared these sentiments.
"This was not the result we wanted as a team, but I am still extremely thankful for the bronze," said Afrika.
"I can say I was part of a team that won bronze at the Olympics and that is special. It remained a massive honour and privilege to have been to the Olympics and to win a medal makes it even more so."
Both decorated players feel that Rugby Sevens is here to stay.
“The rugby was great and I think sevens has established itself as an Olympic sport. There were the obvious disappointments, but also some awesome performances," Afrika said.
Kok added: "This gives every rugby player a chance to be part of the Olympics. There is now something else to achieve in rugby too and that is wonderful."
