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Rio de Janeiro - Cheslin Kolbe's decision to make himself available for the Blitzboks this year may have left the Stormers in trouble during their Super Rugby campaign, but it paid off on Thursday when the 22-year-old found himself on the podium at the Deodoro Stadium.
South Africa finished third in the first ever Sevens tournament to be played at the Olympics when they walloped Japan 54-14 in the bronze medal match.
Kolbe had been in fine form for the Stormers this year and is now considered one of the most destructive fullbacks in the country.
But any possibility of a call-up to Allister Coetzee's first Springbok squad for the June Tests against Ireland were extinguished by Kolbe's commitment to Sevens.
He may not have won gold, but he has no regrets.
"It's not everybody that gets this opportunity to represent their country at the Olympics so coming away with a medal is also another achievement and something to be proud of," he said.
"We could have got nothing, but we at least got bronze and the guys can leave with their heads held up high."
Lloyd Burnard is Sport24's correspondent in Rio de Janeiro for the duration of the 2016 Olympics ...
