Springboks win battle of the boot

South Africa 15 England 6: South Africa have beaten defending champions England 15 to win the World Cup for the second time.

Percy Montgomery scored the bulk of South Africa's points from penalties, landing three in the first half then another in the second term while centre Francois Steyn kicked one long-range goal after missing an earlier attempt.

England's points all came from the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked a penalty in each half but missed two shots at drop goals, although they came closest to scoring a try through winger Mark Cueto only to have it disallowed by the video referee for putting a foot into touch.

In the end though, not even Wilkinson could complete England's mission improbable against a South African side — brilliantly coached by Jake White — that fulfilled what they always felt was their destiny.

It was a typically resilient England performance though, despite them ending the final with reserve scrum-half Peter Richards in the back-row after substitute flanker Joe Worsley went off injured.

The Paris temperature plummeted as kick-off approached, but conditions were perfect, given a firm pitch and little wind to affect goalkickers.

And England made a promising start, putting immediate pressure on South Africa's back three through some steepling kicks, but the Springboks took a seventh minute lead when Montgomery slotted a penalty after centre Mathew Tait slipped inside his own 22 and then failed to release possession.

Wilkinson drew England level five minutes later, finding his range from the touchline, yet Montgomery continued the game's nip and tuck nature by landing his second penalty after England flanker Lewis Moody needlessly tripped
Springboks fly-half Butch James.

Bath-bound James then tested England's defence with a neat chip and chase, but only after Wilkinson had arrowed an angled drop-goal attempt wide and Steyn drifted a long-range penalty attempt narrowly off target.

South Africa's renowned power game finally surfaced as half-time approached as they laid siege to England's line. But the defending champions, epitomising the collective spirit that had taken them into a second successive final, refused to budge an inch.

Some ferociously-committed tackling kept the Springboks out when it looked certain as though they would score.

Montgomery though, who had his right knee bandaged after being on the receiving end of a crunching collision seconds earlier, stepped up to complete his penalty hat-trick with the final kick of an enthralling opening period.

Montgomery's strike took him past 100 points for the tournament, and trailing 9-3, England needed to regain a territorial foothold.

But Vickery, who appeared to take a couple of heavy blows to his left shoulder, did not reappear for the second half. He was replaced by Bath prop Matt Stevens, with flanker Martin Corry taking over leadership duties and England looked to have forged ahead within 60 minutes of the restart.

Tait made a brilliant 40-metre break from just inside South Africa's half, and with the Springboks' defence retreating, England recycled possession brilliantly, and Wilkinson's superb flick-pass looked to have put Cueto over.

But television match official — Australian Stuart Dickinson — had other ideas after a lengthy delay, deciding Cueto's knee grazed the touchline as he dived over.

Cueto's agonising shake of his head after the decision told its own story, yet Wilkinson kicked an immediate penalty, narrowing the gap to 9-6.

England saw Robinson limp off on 47 minutes — he failed to last the pool game against South Africa because of a hamstring injury — and Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss replaced him, with Tait switching to full-back.

Montgomery and Steyn then slotted the kicks that ended England's reign as world champions, with South Africa counting down the clock in expert fashion and the men in white offering little attacking threat.