Blitzboks certain of a medal in Rio?

Cape Town - The Blitzboks will bring home a medal from the Rio Olympics - if bookmakers are to be believed...

Neil Powell's Blitzboks, who currently occupy second spot in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series standings, head to Rio later this year with very definite ambitions of securing a medal.

But what colour medal ... ?

According to leading SA bookies Sportingbet, it's a three-country shootout for the podium.

Fiji are marginal favourites at 11/5, followed by South Africa and New Zealand (5/2).

Australia and Great Britain are best of the rest at 11/1.

Only 12 countries will compete for the gold medal in Sevens which will be making its Olympic debut in Rio.

The SA women's Sevens team will not be going to Rio, despite winning the continental qualifier. SASCOC chief executive Tubby Reddy previously indicated in a statement that winning the continental qualifier would not be enough to ensure their participation.

As a result, Kenya, as the second-placed team in the African qualifier will represent the continent.

The battle for gold in Sevens in Rio will run from August 6-11.