KEY POINTS:
PARIS - It was backs to the wall in the World Cup final on Saturday as South Africa's 15-6 victory over England was a triumph for forward power over flair.
The Springboks deserved their victory.
At least their wingers touched the ball which was more than the English ones did, except for the times Paul Sackey managed to catch up and unders from 'Boks fullback Percy Montgomery.
Apart from two breaks in the first-half by 20-year-old tyro centre Francois Steyn - who was to land a decisive long range penalty in the second-half - there was little ball allowed to the backs, even if the Springboks did at least try and pass it.
They were let down by poor passing from the reputed best scrum-half in the world Fourie du Preez while England seemed content to keep the play to getting the ball to talismanic fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked it.
Indeed Wilkinson signalled England's limited intentions early on by attempting a drop goal when the English had an overlap.
Montgomery was picture perfect in the first-half, slotting over the three penalties he was asked to take - Steyn missing his long range effort - and not found wanting either when it came to kicking from his own 22.
The blond bomber was as good in defence as he tackled hard, and also gave it some vim when he burst into the line while his opposite number Jason Robinson was limited to kicking endless up and unders and vainly chasing them.
Robinson was to limp off and Montgomery added another penalty shortly afterwards to rub salt into his opposite number's wounds as he sat disconsolately on the bench.
He probably was happy he didn't get the 'helping hand' that Toby Flood - who came on for South African-born centre Mike Catt - gave to 'Monty' just after the hour mark which saw the Boks star thrown over the advertising hoardings taking out a photographer and a TV camera.
While Flood inexplicably did not get even a telling off from referee Alain Rolland, Montgomery showed his displeasure by waving his hand at the player while also displaying his agony after landing on his hand.
Wilkinson's tame attempt at a drop goal 10 minutes from the end symbolised England's tactics.
- AFP
