KEY POINTS:
Jonny Wilkinson (England) v Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
The battle of the boot between two of the world's best.
Wilkinson secured England's progression to the final with a late penalty and trademark dropped goal in his team's 14-9 win over France.
The 28-year-old, who kicked the injury-time
dropped goal to secure the 2003 World Cup, surpassed Gavin Hastings' record as the tournament's top overall points scorer in the 12-10 quarter-final win over Australia.
Montgomery is currently the leading points scorer in this World Cup with 93 points, and did not miss a kick as he amassed 17 points in South Africa's 37-13 semifinal win over Argentina.
But to say both players were only kickers would be a huge injustice.
Wilkinson, at first five-eighths, is England's general, marshalling defence and often leading the way with tackles far above his weight.
Montgomery is slightly more removed from the action at fullback, but remains a solid defender at 33 years of age, and a vital cog in the Springboks' dangerous attacking back three alongside Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen.
Ben Kay/Simon Shaw (England) v Victor Matfield/Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
Lineout supremacy is the key aim for Matfield and Botha. The former is widely regarded as the world's best jumper and the duo is currently considered the best second row combination playing.
Both have been in excellent form in this World Cup and will bid to upset the jumping patterns of Kay and Shaw, although England do use a variety of jumpers.
One of the strong points for England's surprise road to the final is their scrum, and both locks have played a key role in supporting the front row.
Shaw, in particular, has also shone in broken play while Kay, a World Cup winner four years ago, has been ever-present in England's games.
Matfield, who has signed to play for French second division club Toulon after the World Cup, is renowned for his aggressive all-round play and Botha has also proved he possesses a good pair of hands.
Jason Robinson (England) v Bryan Habana (South Africa)
Similar in stature, fullback Robinson and winger Habana are the type of players any national coach would kill for - mentally tough, physically durable, light of foot, incredibly fast, and proven try scorers.
The final will be Robinson's last game of rugby before retirement and the former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league star will be bidding to bow out on a high.
His defensive game is second to none, his line clearances were shown to be spot-on in the semifinal win over France, and his nose for the line is never in doubt.
He scored England's sole try in their final victory over Australia in 2003.
Habana is electric on the field, as shown by his two scintillating tries against Argentina in the semifinal, which drew him level with the tournament record of eight tries held by the legendary Jonah Lomu.
He has now scored 30 tries in 34 tests and Robinson's defence will surely be tested.
- AFP