The Moon of Liberty

England Vs South Africa

Venue - Stade De France, Paris

Saturday 20th October, Kick Off 8.00pm

The most unlikely of World Cup Finals produced a fairly dull game in terms of a spectical, but with the World Championship at stake, only the result mattered. England, the defending champions and back from the dead after the humilaiting 36-0 defeat by the same South African opponents only four weeks ago, were one more shock away from retaining the title. The South African began favouirtes and were looking for their title back after the 1995 triumph on home soil.

The momentum was with England, after surprise wins over Austrlia and the hosts France, but they began tentatively making a few mistakes. England's lineout began to creak as South Africa took the first two lineout, Pat Matfield won the first, for it it was the start of an awesome night that made Englands prospects harder the longer the game went

Kicking was a major feature of the game, as it has been so often in this world cup. Both sides looking to exploit the high ball and force the error, rarely did it though as Jason Robinson in his last game for England, and South Africa's Percy Montgomery at full back for South Africa, were up to the task again and again.

A slip by Matthew Tait lead to the first points, he then hung on tot he ball too long for the referee's liking and Montgomery slotted the penalty. England hit back to level after forcing a penalty after finally managin to create problems with a high ball which lead to a ruck in which the Springboks desperate defense infringed, Wilkinson levelled the scores at 3-3.

For the remainder of the half South Africa began to take command. England got in range for a missed Wilkinson drop goal attempt, but from then on the clincal power of South Africa began to tell. Francois Steyn along with Montgomery began find the gaps, Butch James' kicking game began to gain the terrirory. The Boks scored two more penalties and missed another in this dominant period before the break. As the whistle went for half time South Africa were in a 9-3 lead but looking more comfortable than that.

As the second half started Enlgnad needed some magic, and they found it through Matthew Tait, he created a break out of nothing, England for the first time got behind South Africa with some quick ball sending Mark Cueto towards the corner. Was he in for the try? The ref went to the video ref, after around four minutes of looking at a series of angles it was very difficult to tell if Cueto had been taken into touch by the tackle of Danny Rousseau, or if Cueto got the ball down in time. In the end the ref dissalllowed the try, he had already given a penalty which Wilkinson duely slotted over, but despite bringing the game back to 9-6, this incident took the stuffing out of England.

From that point it was almost as if South Africa had scored a try of their own, it was their confidence that grew and England begin to look like a team whose chance had gone. South Africa quickly landed another penalty and from their did nothing fancy and played territory to run down the clock. As England became desperate trying to run from anywhere to try and salvage the game, an attempted short chip by mark Cueto saw him fall foul of an obstruction which gave South Africa a long range penalty. Francois Steyn stepped up and nailed the kick, and the World Cup with it for South Africa.

England became more desperate, South Africa classily resisted the tempatation to rub it in, and played sensible conservative, risk free rugby to finish off the game. The triumph for South African coach jake White and his men was complete. The cup was heading back to South Africa, the Springboks are deserved champions of the rugby world once again.

RESULT

England ............ (3) 6   South Africa ....... (9) 15

England - Pens (Wilkinson 2)

South Africa - Pens (Montgomery 4, Steyn)

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN - Percy Montgomery (South Africa) - This game was primarily about kicking, so the key was the battle between Montgomery and Wilkinson, the huge experince and calm of Montgomery won the day, that with his 12 points, are huge reasons why South Africa are World Champions again.