mens
Sevens
France won the men’s rugby sevens gold medal at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, with Simon Laharrague’s game-defining 16-point 26-19 victory inspiring a victory over previously unbeaten South Africa.
South Africa made history by defeating eventual bronze medal winners Argentina 24-12 in the semi-finals, which ensured that he would win the sevens medal for the first time at the Youth Olympics, but it remains to be seen whether it will be gold or silver.
Team France advanced to the gold medal decider after demolishing Canada 58-0, continuing their relentless form from day one. France scored more than 130 points in their three pool matches and conceded just seven.
Juan De Bod was the center referee at the Iba Mar Diop Complex, overseeing the battle for the final prize of the competition between two heavyweights. Laharrague was first on the scoresheet, converting his own try inside the first two minutes.
South Africa hit back through Darnell Deleport, but the French effectively canceled out the score with a try from Doryan Petitgent. Laharrague found the try line again with about 70 seconds left in the half and France led 21-5.
There were seven minutes between gold medal celebrations for Fance, who defended that 16-point lead for nearly five minutes. But South Africa breathed new life into the contest with Jake Dave scoring two tries in as many minutes.
It was a two-point game with 58 seconds left as both teams prepared for a restart that would have a big impact on the score. France eventually secured gold at the Youth Olympics, with Gaspard Laharrague scoring the last point.
Argentina secured their place on the podium with a clinical 36-5 triumph over Canada, with Federico Anderson’s hat-trick the icing on the cake. Both France and Argentina have won medals in the men’s sevens at the sport’s three Olympic editions.
Germany defeated Japan 26-19 for fifth place, and Remy Folnović scores for the key score in the last 30 minutes. In the second playoff, Senegal overcame Uganda took seventh place in the thriller by five points.
Women’s week also started on Monday, with Kenya and Australia first-round victory in Group A. Madagascar defeated the United States 12-10 in the early stages just after halftime local time.
Australia held on for a 21-15 win against the People’s Republic of China to maintain their unbeaten start to the Youth Games. Madagascar went two for two after the beating Spain 19-12, before the Czech Republic defeated the USA.
TUESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER – MATCHES AND FINALS FOR WOMEN’S POOL
09:40 – China – Senegal (Women’s Group A)
10:02 – Australia – Kenya (Women’s Group A)
10:24 – Czech Republic vs. Madagascar (Women’s Group B)
10:46 a.m. – USA vs. Spain (Women’s Group B)
13:08 – 3rd Group A vs. 4th Group B (Women’s Playoffs 5-8)
13:30 – 3rd Group B vs. 4th Group A (Women’s Playoffs 5-8)
13:52 – 1st group A vs. 2nd group B (women’s semi-final)
14:14 – 1st group B vs. 2nd group A (women’s semi-finals)
15:52 – Lost match 13 vs. Lost match 14 (Women’s play-off for 7th place)
16:14 – Winner of match 13 vs winner of match 14 (women’s play-off for 5th place)
16:36 – Loser match 15 vs Loser match 16 (women’s bronze medal match)
17:03 – Winner match 15 vs winner match 16 (women’s gold medal match)
