White keeps the faith

South Africa coach Jake White has named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday's World Cup final against England in the Stade de France.

The only alteration from the squad that beat Argentina 37-13 in the semi-final is on the bench, where loose forward Wikus van Heerden replaces former captain Bobby Skinstad.

The Springboks have beaten England on four successive occasions in the last 11 months, including a 36-0 victory in the pool stages five weeks ago, but White insists his side will be facing a completely different England this time around, following the return from injury of Jonny Wilkinson.

And he believes England's experience of winning the 2003 World Cup in Australia gives them a major advantage this weekend.

Jason Robinson, Wilkinson, Ben Kay and Phil Vickery will all start their second World Cup final, while England's 22-man match day squad includes 12 players with a winners' medal.

In contrast, loosehead prop Os du Randt is the only South African player to have also been involved in the Springboks' 1995 World Cup triumph.

"They have won a World Cup away from home. Even though Josh Lewsey is not playing (because of injury) he will play a massive part in the preparations for the final," White said today.

"That's a massive advantage to have - having guys like (Lawrence) Dallaglio, Wilkinson, Robinson, (Mike) Catt, guys who have won a World Cup.

"That's why it's going to be a completely different outing to the pool game."

The South Africa side features two changes from that Pool A clash five weeks ago.

Flanker Schalk Burger missed the game through suspension but returns to the backrow, while tighthead prop CJ van der Linde has replaced BJ Botha, whose tournament was ended by a knee injury.

Van Heerden started against England in Burger's absence and his impressive performance earned him a recall into the squad for the final.

White explained: "It was quite simple. There were no emotional decisions made.

"We felt that the way Argentina played, Bobby was suited to that game.

"It's only fair on Wikus as he played a massive role against England in the pool game. He played a massive role in the way we played.

"It's good to have two guys like Schalk and Wikus as part of our mix. We need two guys who can play that role."

South Africa XV (v England):P Montgomery (Natal Sharks); JP Pietersen (Natal Sharks), J Fourie (Golden Lions), F Steyn (Natal Sharks), B Habana (Blue Bulls); B James (Natal Sharks), F du Preez (Blue Bulls); O du Randt (Free State), J Smit (Natal Sharks,  capt), CJ van der Linde (Free State), B Botha (Blue Bulls), V Matfield (Blue Bulls), S Burger (Western Province), J Smith (Free State), D Rossouw (Blue Bulls). Replacements:B du Plessis (Natal Sharks), J du Plessis (Free State), J Muller (Natal Sharks), W van Heerden (Blue Bulls), R Pienaar (Natal Sharks), A Pretorius (Golden Lions), W Olivier (Blue Bulls).