So it all comes down to this.  Four years of statements have now come down to one game, to be played in France this coming Saturday, October 20.  This match will determine the sixth Rugby World Cup champions - with both teams attempting to become two-time winners.

England, the defending champions, are looking to make a mockery of any team's laid preparations to this tournament.  With 21 wins and 28 losses since 2003, they have the record of being the worst defending champions of any major sporting code in history.  Does this mean much?  Not really, as if they win they will be recorded as the first rugby world champions to defend their title and give Englishmen eight years to continue to end all rugby arguments with a simple statement - we are the reigning champions.

South Africa have won 33 games and lost 17 since the last championship.  They came into this tournament officially listed as third favourites.  They are the only team to have the measure of the All Blacks, the so-called world's best team - and unlike the New Zealanders, bring a game balanced according to their strengths.  Their 2007 Test record has not been impeccable, but probably the greatest asset to the Springboks' game has been their brilliant Super 14 form, which saw two of their teams contest the final. This ensured their best players were thoroughly worked out just a few months before the RWC.

'South Africa are the only team to have the measure of the All Blacks, the so-called world's best team - and unlike the New Zealanders, bring a game balanced according to their strengths'


To the victors comes a world championship - and probably the ranking of the IRB's No.1 ranked team.  The winners will also join the Wallabies as the only nation to have won the crown twice.

This World Cup has emphatically proven that no matter how much stronger one team may be, it comes down to nothing in a sudden-death elimination match.

Will James's prediction prove to be right? Leave your comments below or submit your own big-match preview if you prefer.

The Springboks seem the better team.  They have strengths across the park with their pack, their game breakers and a simple but imposing game plan.  They wield the finest line-out forwards in the world, fearsome loose forwards led by the giant Schalk Burger, good tactical kicking, and in Bryan Habana, the most intimidating game breaker the rugby world has seen outside Jonah Lomu. 

They do not take risks with their game plan, and with their outstanding Super 14 performances are used to closing out pressure games.  The appointment of Eddie Jones as "technical advisor" seems to have added a sharper edge to the Springboks' ruthlessness.  They have not been ultimately tested at this tournament, and look to have further gears to lift.

England have come out of nowhere to contest this final.  They looked inept against the Springboks a month ago - and most rugby supporters would state that they have not held an attacking edge to their play for many months now.  Indeed this seems to be their achilles heel. 

Their defence has found a impressive factor, with the white wall of England looking nearly impenetrable against the Wallabies and French.  Their scrum should be their advantage, and will look to exert tremendous pressure.  They, too, have game breakers in the form of Jason Robinson and of course Jonny Wilkinson.  Indeed, while Habana will be the difference in the teams' attack, English golden boy Wilkinson will be a deciding factor in the way the game is controlled. 

The Wallabies had weaknesses the English could pounce on - and the French seemed to repeat history by playing their best game against the All Blacks. 

But to state a cliche - Rugby Union is a game where points must be scored to win.  South Africa have menace in their attack - and create opportunities to score, whereas England do not.  As impressive as the English have become defensively, how do you effectively defend against the panache of Habana, who will score over a quarter of his tries by intercepts?  However, South Africa can be an undisciplined team, and Wilkinson will punish them for any infringements in the Boks' own half.

England have had four bad years of championship defence to become well accustomed to pressure.  The Springboks looked under pressure against Tonga, who had neither the pack nor the kicking abilites that England wield.

If England win, it will make a mockery of re-conditioning, rotations and any form of planning for a World Cup.  But the Springboks have built well into this final, and if they lift their game accordingly, should be too much for the white rose. 

This will not be a pretty game, but tactically should be superb.  Both teams know their strengths and weaknesses, a claim that other international teams cannot state.  Both countries will be insufferable if they win - but that is part of the package of being the world champions.

Games played since last World Cup (home team listed first):

14 Sep 2007 England 0  South Africa 36 (RWC pool game)
02 Jun 2007 South Africa 55 England 22
26 May 2007 South Africa 58 England 10
25 Nov 2006 England 14  South Africa 25
18 Nov 2006 England 23  South Africa 21
20 Nov 2004 England 32  South Africa 16

I predict a tight game that the Springboks will eventually grind out over a solid English team that has not had enough good form to rightfully claim the title.  South Africa to become world champions by ten points.