WC predictions - final time

And it's the one match I didn't want to see as the final - a front row punch-out between the Boks and the English. I see the Boks as having the advantage, particularly with the back-row in pretty good form. But this is the final of the WC and don't forget that Jonny and some of the boys have been there and performed, whereas its a first time for almost the whole of the Boks side (the only exception being Os Du Randt, the loosehead, who was part of the 1995 squad).

I don't think its going to be a particularly attractive game and it'll probably come down to a combination of a front-row battle and one between Jonny and Monty with their boots.

Watch out, however, for Francois Steyn. He attempted a 60-odd metre shot on goal from the right corner in the Arg game and almost made it despite slipping. The commentator (can't remember the name) said that in practice during the week, as Monty was employing Jonny's drill of aiming for the upright to improve aim, Steyn was kicking it from his 10m line through the uprights!! That should make for some really interesting viewing, although I suspect he wont get a chance unless its the stroke of half-time or SA are well in front (in which case, it wont matter much, will it?)

The drubbing in the group stages really doesn't mean anything, seeing as how well England have performed since then. This will also be Jason Robinson's last match in the White jersey - and if he does lift the cup, I see (just as we saw 4 years ago), a hardback autobiography selling at 24 quid a pop in (miraculously!) a couple of weeks time...

May he who plays the more entertaining rugby win....

PS for the sake of it - I think the French will be runaway winners in the 3rd place playoff on Friday.