Rugby World Cup Final Preview
The culmination of the Rugby World Cup in Japan will take place between England and South Africa.
The final taking place in Yokohama on Sunday 2nd November will see two teams looking to cement themselves as the best in the world.
England reached the final off the back of a tactical masterclass by coach Eddie Jones which saw them dominate and outclass New Zealand. South Africa, however, had a slightly more difficult route to the final, with a close physical affair against Wales.
The physicality of the Springboks dominated the gain line and allowed them to control the game. Their physicality has been a stalwart of their game plan and something that England will have contend with.
England head coach Eddie Jones says this will be the mentality that South Africa Coach Rassie Erasmus will instil in his players. Jones believes that his team has the game-plan and players to counteract this tactic.
“South Africa aren't going to give us the game, they are going to come hard. We've got meet their physicality but we are looking forward to that and being able to impose our game on them,"
England will have to play a flawless game if they are to claim their second World Cup. Eddie Jones says that his team in capable of such a performance. “We can definitely play better, there's no doubt about it.”
The Springboks will look to halt this charge, as they continue a resurgence in their form under coach Rassie Erasmus. When Erasmus took over the rugby powerhouse was languishing sixth in the world, since then he has restored pride in their rugby and taken them back up to second in the world. This run of form has seen his team loose only eight out of twenty-five test matches in his tenure.
This resurgence in form will be vital if they are to capture a record equalling third World Cup.
If they are to win this weekend, then South Africa’s captain Siya Kolisi will be the first black player to lift the Webb Ellis trophy for South Africa. This will be a momentous occasion for the country. “What Siya has achieved has been remarkable. For a young kid to rise above his circumstances and become Springbok captain, and lead the way he has, it's been inspirational to all South Africans - from all walks of life,” says team-mate Tendai Mtawarira.
Rassie Erasmus hopes that triumph will unite the country and echo the effects of their World Cup victory in 1995. “We are trying to win for South Africa, and not just for the supporters, but because our country needs a lot of things and we want to help fix that.”
South Africa’s combination of a potent threat through their forwards and speed through the back such as Faf de Klerk and Cheslin Kolbe will pose a number of problems for the English defensively line.
This promises to be an intriguing contest, as both pose serious questions; will England be able to cope with the power of South Africa and will South Africa be able to breakdown England’s defence that stifled New Zealand in the semi-finals.
