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PARIS - England's South African-born prop Matt Stevens said he couldn't wait to run out against the country of his birth in the final of the rugby World Cup here on Saturday.
Stevens, who will line up against Springboks with whom he attended school, admitted that playing the Boks was always a special occasion but quickly scotched any comparisons between himself and England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, also born in South Africa.
"I don't think reaching the final has sunk in," said Stevens. "It only will when we run out for the final at the weekend.
"There's only so much you can do now. Training has tapered down and we have spent a lot of time off our feet re-fuelling. It is the most amazing experience and the biggest game of my life."
The Durban-born forward added: "It's the third time we've played South Africa in six months" after the 36-0 pool loss and two losses by an under-strength England team on summer tour.
"It's always special. I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"I'll be playing against guys I played with at school - Schalk Burger, BJ Botha, CJ van der Linde.
"I don't think there's anyone playing who I haven't played with or against. There is no question my loyalty lies with England, but it is a great honour to play against the country of my birth."
Stevens joked that he had "not been drummed out of the family, they're all England fans. Maybe one or two distant cousins aren't, but blood is thicker than water".
The prop was quick to play down any comparison between himself and England cricketer Pietersen, who left his native South Africa after bitterly complaining that racial quotas were preventing him from progressing.
Pietersen, who has an English mother, went on to serve a five-year residency in England and is now one of the cricket team's star players having played a major role in the 2005 Ashes triumph.
"With Pietersen things were handled badly," said Stevens, who plays his club rugby in England for Bath.
"I've never blamed South Africa for where I've gone. I wanted to come to England and wanted to play for England.
"I'm very supportive of South Africa, they did a lot for me growing up. I've no gripes with South Africa or South African rugby. There was no political choice with it."
Stevens said that England had changed since their drubbing at the hands of the Springboks in a stuttering pool campaign.
"I think it's a different team playing now. We've developed our style, our confidence has come back and we know each other better. Whatever happens on the weekend we'll give it a good go."
One player on the South African team who has Stevens' full respect is veteran prop Os du Randt, the sole survivor of South Africa's 1995 World Cup triumph.
"He's a guy I look up to immensely," he said. "He was one of the first modern day props. He makes a lot of tackles, hits a lot of rucks and gets his hands on the ball as well as being a massive scrummager."
- AFP
