IRB Rugby World Cup Final 2007 - Match Review

England v South Africa

20 October 2007 - 21:00, Stade de France, Saint Denis

Pictures by Empics

England's  Rugby bubble burst by the boot of General Montgomery, who exacted precise science and kicked England out of the final.  

England took to the field at the Stade de France as defending Rugby World Cup Champions but lost out to an altogether more disciplined and better side.  Congratulations to the Springboks deserved Rugby World Cup Winners 2007.

South Africa did not need to run in tries, they just needed to soak up the England pressure and whatever England could throw(bomb) at them.   The game was an aerial display of ping pong most of the match, both sides using this tactic to gain territory and hope that someone would make mistakes.  England made more mistakes this night and suffered for it.

This was a very tense match that had all England fans at their wits end.  It lived up to it's build up, plenty of incident, drama and of course dispute.   We did not see Habana on the run, or anyone really from South Africa.  We did however, see Mathew Tait and Cueto they had moments when you could say 'if only' but it was not to be and that is the nature of sport and what makes us want more. 

Going into this match, it was incredible to think that England had achieved the goal of reaching the final after all that had gone before. We have to take our hats off to players and staff who made that possible, they have given England fans hope again, no glory as yet but hope.

England's Jason Robinson we thank you for your commitment, tries and sporting example over these last few years, we wish you luck in your retirement and whatever you do next.

To all the players thank you and for some we know this will be perhaps your last time on the international stage, again we thank you.  You did us all proud, even in defeat.

So for England, we now look towards the future with the knowledge that we have some excellent talent in the likes of  Hipkiss, Easter, Flood, Tait, Sheridan, et al.

Once again well done South Africa - New World Champions - Enjoy!

England (3) 6
Pens: Wilkinson 2

South Africa (9) 15
Pens: Montgomery 4, Steyn

England: Robinson; Sackey, Tait, Catt, Cueto; Wilkinson, Gomarsall, Sheridan, Regan, Vickery, Shaw, Kay, Corry, Moody, Easter. Replacements: Chuter, Stevens, Dallaglio, Worsley, Richards, Flood, Hipkiss.

South Africa: Montgomery; Pietersen, Fourie, Steyn, Habana; James, Du Preez; Du Randt, Smit, Van der Linde, B Botha, Matfield, Burger, Smith, Rossouw. Replacements: B du Plessis, J du Plessis, Muller, Van Heerden, Pienaar, Pretorius, Olivier.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

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