Oct 18, 2007, 15:49 GMT
Paris - The last time England played South Africa in rugby was only five weeks ago, and they were embarrassed by the Springboks 36-0.
Based on that performance, most observers would not have given a fig for England's chances even to make it to the knockout round, let alone to the final.
But many England players look to that defeat as a turning point in their surprising march to Saturday's championship match where they meet South Africa again.
'We were second best in all areas that night and South Africa took full advantage of it and the scoreline reflected that. The pressure came on in the aftermath. We looked at our performance and have gone up some levels, particularly the scrum and breakdown,' said veteran number 8 Lawrence Dellaglio.
Another factor of the English renaissance was the return from injury of fly half Jonny Wilkinson, who did not play against South Africa and whose kicking has been decisive, as it was in 2003 when England won the World Cup.
The English have also benefited from the errors of the opposition. Stirling Mortlock's missed penalty kick in the dying moments of the quarter-final cost Australia the victory and France's strategy of kicking, rather than running, the ball played into English hands.
South Africa will not give the English that luxury. The Boks have been the most disciplined, most consistent and the most exciting team of the tournament.
While their strength is in their forwards, who wreaked havoc on the Argentine scrum, in Bryan Habana and JP Pieterson they have two of the fastest wings in the world.
England captain Phil Vickery had an excellent description of the Springboks: 'Looking at the side, they've got a lot of experience combined with power and speed. Their kicking, not just for the posts, but for position is excellent. They are a very complete side. We're not under any illusions as to what we'll face.'
Habana has tied Jonah Lomu's World Cup tournament try record with eight and made Argentine defenders look rooted to the ground as he sprinted for two tries.
Wilkinson and centre Mike Catt will have to continue their excellent position kicking because England must contain Habana to have a chance.
The English do not score many points. Their average of 22.33 points per match is the lowest of any previous World Cup finalist.
They have won ugly, without taking any risks on the offence and by relying on the opponent to make mistakes and on Wilkinson to cash them in.
But South Africa make few mistakes, and in fullback Percy Montgomery they have the tournament's in-form kicker and leading scorer.
The often-overlooked Montgomery has converted 93 per cent of his penalty kicks, compared to only 63 per cent for Wilkinson.
The Springboks also have the best line-out in the world, and will look to play off England turnovers.
South Africa flanker Schalk Burger sees the match as being won in the trenches.
'They've got a good forward pack. They're strong at the breakdown, they've got a good scrum, a good line-out, so it's going to be a really good contest, and whichever team dominates there will have a very easy afternoon.'
In the end, the team that handles the ball best and most efficiently exploits the other side's errors will probably win.
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