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A model of English rugby star Jonny Wilkinson joined national hero Horatio Nelson in London's Trafalgar Square as "England expected every man to do his duty" against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
The Madame Tussauds waxwork of Wilkinson was hauled onto a plinth at the heart of the capital on Friday so fans could echo the exhortation of the 19th century admiral who routed the French at the Battle of Trafalgar.
The location of Sunday's showdown in the Stade de France in Paris mixes that grand old historical resonance loved by the nation which invented rugby with a South African opponent who embodies the modern-day northern versus southern hemisphere rivalry that has come to dominate the international game.
For once, South Africans laid aside their obsession with crime and race relations to focus on national pride in a Springboks team that enjoys wild support from blacks and whites at home and grudging admiration from its opponents abroad.
"I don't care what race you are," said Shamiem Smail, a 35-year-old business analyst in Johannesburg.
"Sport unifies us, like music. It doesn't mattter what political party you belong to. One thing I do hope is that they do tomorrow is wear black armbands for Lucky Dube."
The murder of Dube, South Africa's biggest reggae star, in an apparent carjacking attempt on Thursday vied for attention in headlines and on radio talk shows on Friday.
Black construction workers cheered a young white boy wearing the Springbok jersey, "Go, AmaBokkobokko", referring to the South African team by their local nickname.
A picture of South Africa's lightning fast wing Bryan Habana shared space with Dube on the front page of the Sowetan, a newspaper with a large black readership.
"Final fever grips SA (South Africa)," The Citizen newspaper crowed, summing up the national mood. For The Times daily, there was little doubt about who would be the victors. Its front page declared: "Countdown to glory."
South Africa won the Rugby World Cup in 1995, sparking euphoria a year after Nelson Mandela became the country's first black president. Mandela seized on the win as an opportunity to draw blacks and whites together in an appearance with the team that remains fixed in the minds of the nation's rugby fans.
Mandela's foundation said he needed to rest after recent travels and could not make the final. But in a recorded video message to the 2007 team on Friday, Mandela told them "We are a winning nation."
Scotsman and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will happily switch allegiance to fly to Paris for Sunday's final.
"The one barrier to my support for England in the World Cup final has been removed by the unfortunate defeat of Scotland," Brown said.
He is to be joined in the stands by Princes William and Harry, who are both ardent rugby fans. Their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, will be glued to the television.
England players have adopted The Gambler by Kenny Rogers as their unlikely motivational anthem, much to the surprise of the country and western singer.
"I'm mighty proud that you guys found something in it to be your inspiration," he told them.
Any fears British fans would be discouraged by a French transport strike was dismissed by England coach Brian Ashton.
"I don't know how they will get here but they will. We're pretty well known for Channel swimming."
Rugby pundits never expected England to reach the final, especially after their 36-0 drubbing by South Africa in their opening match of the tournament.
That prompted one South African construction worker on his way to work in London on Friday to quip about Sunday's eagerly awaited clash: "Once we get to 36-0, we can relax".
For the French, knocked out by England in the semifinals, it is a bittersweet occasion.
"It would have been better if France had played but it's like the 100 metres final at the Olympics. There is never a Frenchman but you watch it because it's a great sports event," said Amelie Jacobi, a 31-year-old legal expert.
- REUTERS
