KEY POINTS:
A nervous couple, newly arrived from South Africa, say they are getting ready to cheer on the Springboks for the last time before switching their allegiance to the All Blacks.
Others just can't cope with the "stress" of watching a World Cup final and are milling around nervously, drinking Albany's Bar Africa dry of South African lager Castles.
Cars line the streets outside while inside, hundreds of Springbok supporters sit and stand transfixed to the big screens.
Among them were newcomers to New Zealand, Helen and Neil Church. They told the Herald yesterday's final would be the last time they cheered for South Africa, with the All Blacks becoming their new heroes.
"But we'll support them [South Africa] if they play anyone else," Neil said.
Cries of "Bokke, Bokke, Bokke" began as the good-natured crowd became more confident in the second half, victory almost theirs.
Daniel Van Wyk was one who simply couldn't watch the final few minutes. "This is horrible, I think Jonny [Wilkinson] might kill us."
And then the final whistle. And bedlam.
"Hugs all round," someone screamed, while others jumped, shrieked and cried.
There were plenty of patriotic tears as the scenes of the Springboks celebrating unfolded, with a special cheer when South African President Thabo Mbeki was hoisted on to the players' shoulders.
Meanwhile ... It all began in high spirits - the Paddington in Parnell was festooned in red and white balloons and streamers while several hundred patrons draped in white sheets emblazoned with the St George Cross tucked into hearty cooked breakfasts.
All were positive their team would win the World Cup.
Women with red crosses painted on their faces stood to attention and sang when the English national anthem blared from the television sets.
The men gave roof-lifting cheers when their hero Wilkinson first held the ball.
"Go Jonny," they chanted whenever he went to kick, and they applauded each time English players caught the ball.
But after seven minutes, when the pub went quiet as Percy Montgomery kicked the first of South Africa's penalties, all eyes turned to a group who were clapping. Two of them wore Springbok jerseys.
When Wilkinson levelled the score, one of them, Gideon Van Schalkwyk, from Pretoria, was shouted a beer by English flag-wearer Richard.
Why? "Because I felt sorry for him," said Richard. "But then he is drinking an English lager bought by an English fan in an English pub."
After 55 minutes the television commentator said: "The English are starting to get raucous" - but not in the Paddington.
After 68 minutes and the score 6-15, the English fans' cheering revived as they desperately waited for their team's turn-around.
But the sound level dropped to mere groans after Wilkinson's failed drop kick.
When the end came, most were philosophical about the result.
One fan - who gave his name as RP - said: "I'm proud to be English. We went down fighting. We can be gracious in defeat."
"It was a brilliant game," said Graham West of Titirangi. "England did so well to get to the final. After that earlier 36-0 loss to South Africa they regrouped themselves. That's why we came down here to see them.
"We're now off to the waterfront to celebrate - not a defeat but getting into the final."
