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PARIS - The Springboks' team are virtually the only South Africans dismissing their billing as favourites to beat titleholders England and win the rugby World Cup at Stade de France on Sunday (NZT).
The Springboks have already beaten England in the pool stage, although the defending champions have improved beyond recognition since that 36-0 mauling, and have a fully fit squad from which to pick their team whereas England have lost wing Josh Lewsey to injury.
"England must be favourites because this group of players won them the rugby World Cup final," South Africa's coach Jake White said today after his team had beaten surprise semifinalists Argentina 37-13 yesterday.
South Africans jubilantly celebrated and predicted a second title after their 1995 triumph with a banner headline in the Johannesburg newspaper The Star saying "Cup glory beckons".
Lewsey, who also played in the 2003 final victory over Australia, was forced off with a hamstring tear near the end of the first half of England's 14-9 semifinal win over France on Sunday after scoring the game's only try in the second minute.
The winger was distraught at missing the final, saying: "In the last four years a lot of people have made a lot of sacrifices and there's been some testing times over the last couple of years.
"To come through that and miss the final is pretty devastating but the main thing is to win and no one will be happier than me if we win."
Lewsey's place in the squad will be taken by 21-year-old Bath fullback Nick Abendanon.
England will again base their game on a strong defence following their upset victories over Australia in the quarterfinals followed by a win over France.
"Our defensive system was very good against France, I think it was our best-ever defence we've ever had in terms of stats," assistant coach Mike Ford said today.
France were unable to deal with that defence and will finish their home tournament playing against Argentina for third place on Saturday in a repeat of the opening match on October 7, which the Pumas won 17-12.
The French, the only team in the traditional top five not to have won the World Cup, believed that ruthless forwards, discipline and a kicking game could lead them to the title.
Against England they lacked the flashes of brilliance that helped them upset favourites New Zealand in the quarterfinals.
"We're asked to kick the ball, we kick the ball," a resigned first five-eighth Frederic Michalak said today afer coming on as a late replacement on Sunday but being unable this time to add sparkle the French attack.
Argentina's fine run is another rebuke to the world game's authorities for their failure to accommodate the so-called emerging nations into top annual competitions.
"This is not just about Argentina," Pumas captain Agustin Pichot said, referring to the power wielded in the game by countries who had to go home early.
"Two of the greatest teams (New Zealand and Australia) in the world have gone home. They have a lot of power, it's time to look at where we want to go."
- REUTERS
