South Africa are world champions

South Africa beat England by 15 points to 6 on Saturday in the 2007 rugby world cup final, in what was a closely fought contest. No tries were scored, although there was a controversial incident, with England wing Mark Cueto being denied a try by the video referee. England have surprised many with their return to form in this tournament, having been hammered 36 nil by South Africa 36 days before the final, many thought their tournament was over, but some soul searching and streetwise performances have lead the England team from zeroes to heroes.

Saturday was not to prove the fairytale ending for England however, but it was a fairytale ending for South Africa. Consistently the best side throughout the tournament, and with outgoing coach Jake White at the helm, South Africa oozed a confidence and physicallity deserving of world champions. Percy Montgomery kicked four penalties and Francios Steyn one, to Jonny Wilkinson's two for england, but the turning point came when Matthew Tait stepped past Steyn and Habana, only to be hauled down just short of the line by man of the match Victor Matfield. Quick recycling got the ball out to Cueto who slid in at the corner for what seemed a certain try. However, the diving tackle of Dannie Roussouw put doubt in the referee's mind and he called for the video referee, Aussie Stuart Dickinson, to make the call. After much deliberation, Dickinson said no try, as Cueto's foot and just scraped the touch line. On such fine margins are games won and lost is a fair statement at such a time. The score was 9-3 at this time, and the try with conversion would have given England the lead. Instead a penalty got us back to 9-6, but that was the closest we got.

Instead, I would like to look the positive backline we ended the game with; Wilkinson, Cueto, Flood, Hipkiss, Sackey and Tait. Young, exciting and pacey. Rob Andrew has today said that the last three years have been a mess for England rugby. There are lots of new young players to come in to the England fold. Let's integrate them in now and reap the rewards in the years to come, with Ashton at the helm.

If England had won on Saturday, it would have papered over the cracks of a poor four years, performance and selection wise. Getting to the final does this partly anyway, but it is important for the public to realise that we stumbled through. In four years time, lets power through and despatch teams properly. We have a chance to build now, let's take it.

Well done South Africa on an awesome world cup, and thank you to France, for not only hosting a great world cup, but by providing much entertainment to many around the world by losing twice to Argentina!