Thirty six days ago when England lost by a 36-point margin to South Africa in their opening Pool game in the Rugby World Cup, most of the rugby pundits and commentators were writing off England’s chances of even reaching the final, let alone successfully defending the trophy they won in so scintillating a fashion four years ago in Australia. But since then, a whole host of changes have occurred and England have dramatically improved both in form and result.
When South Africa and England lock horns to contest the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup at the legendary Stade de France in Paris, sparks would fly all around and there’s little doubt that spectators would observe a different game that the one on display last month. At the time, England didn’t have their talisman Jonny Wilkinson and were humbled by a ferociously strong South African team that has virtually demolished all the teams they have played so far in the competition.
But Wilkinson is now back from injury in England’s colours and that is the boost that Brian Ashton’s improving side requires ahead of the titan clash with the Springboks. Although the Africans would be slight favourites for the final, given the rampant form of Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar, the England coach knows that his side’s spirit and passion could win the day.
Its’ not that England don’t have a solid team; the fact is that South Africa have a better one. In their Pool game encounter in just over five weeks ago, the Springboks were massively better in the forward and halfback departments and blew England away right from the very first minute. So England need to be cautious in the finale in Paris and should try to wrestle the initiative from the South Africans.
Since winning the World Cup in 2003 thanks to a dramatic last minute drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson, England have drastically spiraled down. But their surge in this year’s World Cup has lifted the spirits of the England supporters who now believe that England can defeat South Africa in Paris on Saturday to win their second World Cup crown in a row.
Image Source: Hackett
Source: The Independent, UK
