KEY POINTS:
In France interest in the World Cup final remains high although neither the hosts nor the people's favourite team - the All Blacks - made the cut.
Most locals shrug their shoulders when asked how England has returned from a 36-0 beating by South Africa to having a real chance of remaining world champions.
Equally, they can't understand how the All Blacks could go from heroes to zero in the space of 30 frantic minutes two weeks ago.
The French have graciously acknowledged the referee was not great and maybe luck favoured them, but still the improbable All Black loss remains unexplainable.
On the refereeing, the fears before the cup of over-zealous officials and high penalty counts seem to have been misplaced.
My impression has been of tolerance by officials at the breakdown - although tight games have still been won and lost on split-second calls which seem to have maybe gone either way.
It will be interesting to find out how referees' boss Paddy O'Brien has found things. It will all be positive but I can't wait for the new rules and hopefully an end to the lottery at the breakdown and scrum.
To the final. England have beaten all odds to make the cut. They have improved significantly over the rabble that faced South Africa in the pool play. They are attempting to run the ball from second phase but it seems so unnatural you cringe when watching and hope they turn the ball back into the comfort of the ageing but effective pack.
And what a pack - made up of players who would have long been pensioned off in the Southern Hemisphere. The forwards are passing with great technique and some pace. In recent years New Zealand has been rightly proud of its scrum - maybe the best in the world.
This England scrum has become a real weapon. Maybe because they don't have many other options, but whatever the reason the scrum is winning them games. South Africa should be weary of getting sucked into trench warfare at scrum and maul time. The Dad's Army England pack will love nothing better than a wrestling match up front.
South Africa will be looking for Victor Matfield and Co. to really dominate the lineouts. England, with Mark Regan at hooker, are vulnerable and just as England see the scrum as a weapon, equally Jake White should be confident of winning a fair share of the England lineouts.
South Africa are the best team in the world at scoring points off opposition errors. Bryan Habana is deadly at the intercept and Schalk Burger loves the spilled opposition pass. The problem might be that England don't make too many mistakes or give intercept opportunities because they don't spin the ball too much.
So how will South Africa score points and deny Jonny Wilkinson his usually tally? I would play for territory, rely on the lineout and do just enough to make England attempt to play some rugby.
England will relish a battle between the two 22s - just in range for Wilkinson to convert some penalties into points.
Many are hoping for a South African victory based on attractive rugby against the more negative tactics from the north. I don't buy into this. Better a South African victory is achieved with hard-nosed pragmatism than a gallant loss to a pretty smart England team. Not many people really remember how attractive World Cup wins have been.
South Africa should win if they don't get sucked into the type of game only England enjoy.
The Boks must suppress their instinct to confront the England pack.
But after the last two weeks in France, who would really be surprised with another England win?
