KEY POINTS:
All hail to England for the winning formula they have rediscovered. It still staggers most of their supporters and the media - who have become unbearably hitched again to the sweet chariot - and someone like referee Chris White.
Englishman through and through White but his disbelief shone
during a brief whimsical pavement chat the other day, when he said he was not sure how they had done it but he was enjoying the possibilities.
You have got to wonder how much England's outside backs are enjoying their roles at the world cup though.
There was an early hint in the semifinal against France that the ball would go wide a few times but that variation was then shelved.
Maybe they will surprise tomorrow but if the tactic turns to custard, it will bring back all the wistful memories of the 1991 final, when they were suckered out of their bash and kick game and made a hash of running the ball.
Basically the England back four have defensive roles, they chase kicks and go back to support Jason Robinson when he collects the opposition's tactical punts.
More often than not, Robinson also gives the leather some tap, though you suspect he would like to deviate a bit more from the team instructions. His counter-attack against France after picking up a wayward kick was the spark which won the semifinal.
Robinson's dancing pistons scorched him past a couple of defenders until a stray arm clipped him too high and Jonny Wilkinson goaled the penalty for the lead.
A few weeks back Robinson's World Cup looked over. He blew a hamstring in pool play and needed England to beat Samoa then Tonga and for him to manage a miracle recovery, to be seen again in the tournament.
Glad he did. He is one England back with some attacking clout, the footwork to beat the best defences and someone who looks as though he enjoys his work. Not too sure about the others who have to chase Jonny's kicks but a winner's medal would make all that pursuit worthwhile.
The final will not be as one-sided as the 36-0 pool game victory for the Springboks but a repeat would not disturb me. The Springboks have played some consistently strong rugby, they have decent mix of experienced and new players and excitement machines like Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Schlak Burger and Victor Matfield.
Their one uncertain area may be the tighthead side of the scrum, otherwise the Springboks appeal as a comfortable winner if they hold their discipline. England will try to provoke, they will throw bodies into the conflict, they will needle and niggle, they will test referee Alain Rolland's patience to the limit knowing any cards will have no effect on the rest of the tournament.
While England have done remarkably well and deserve a place in any tournament "how the hell did they do that" section, the Springboks have played better and more attractive rugby which should allow Os du Randt to emulate his 1995 victory for the Rainbow Nation.
