Springboks coach Jake White has been quick to hand England the favourites tag in the build up to the Rugby World Cup final.
That is despite his side having already beaten England 36-0 in the pool
stage, though the defending champions have improved significantly beyond recognition
since that hammering and now have a fully fit Jonny Wilkinson back in their
starting XV.
"England must be favourites because this group of players won them the Rugby World Cup final," White said after his team’s semifinal win.
However, the Springboks coach appears to have little support in that regard back home with many South Africans already predicting a comfortable victory in the final.
England, meanwhile, will again base its game on a solid defence and the strong kicking game of first five Wilkinson.
"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 told reporters.
France was unable to penetrate that defence but Bernard Laporte’s men were also intent on kicking away much of their possession.
