Final: South Africa's French Success
South Africa v England, 15-6
(Stade de France, Paris, 20 October 2007)
It was so tense, so close. There was a beauty in that tension as there was heroism in the intensity of two teams who played to become world champion with every fibre of their beings and with the complete focus of their minds and hearts.
There were no tries, though there was one hectic moment when two tackles saved South Africa's bacon.
First Victor Matfield, voted Man of the match, tackled Matthew Tait on the Springbok line and then as the move went left, Danie Rossouw tackled Mark Cueto out at the corner.
The referee, wisely, referred to the TMO, Stuart Dickinson, who saw Cueto's left foot go out. Despite the evidence of their eyes, English supporters would maintain that Cueto had scored as Cueto, unable to see his trailing foot behind him, believed that he had scored. He was out all right.
That was in the second half. The Springboks had their chance in the first half when Frans Steyn and Danie Rossouw were close.
For the rest it was the battle of the boot and the Springboks, who led 9-3 at half-time, did not at any stage look as if they would lose as they played contained rugby.
The battle of the boot and the battle of the line-out, where Matfield and his men reigned supreme, taking six successive line-outs off England.
Eventually, the final whistle gone, South Africa captain John Smit, smiling broadly but as composed as usual, could say of the effort that had gone into the four years' preparation: "It's been worth every second of it."
England were in a way surprise finalists.
South Africa had beaten them 36-0 in a pool match but then England had overwhelmed Australia and subdued France to reach the Final. South Africa had gone the 'easier' route, beating Fiji and Argentina.
Scorers:
For South Africa:
Pens: Montgomery 4, Steyn
For England:
Pen: Wilkinson 2
Teams
South Africa: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, François Steyn, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Danie Rossouw, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Johann Muller, Wikus van Heerden, Ruan Pienaar, André Pretorius, Wynand Olivier.
England: Jason Robinson, Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Mike Catt, Mark Cueto, Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Gomarsall, Nick Easter, Lewis Moody, Martin Corry, Ben Kay, Simon Shaw, Phil Vickery (captain), Mark Regan, Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Peter Richards, Toby Flood, Dan Hipkiss.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
