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PARIS - Bruised and battered after their World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of England, France's beaten players are throwing their weight behind the Springboks in Saturday's final.
But the hosts insist that despite having lost to their bitterest rivals at the semi-final stage for the second tournament in succession, it is not a case of sour grapes.
They believe a South Africa win is vital for the health of sport, in general, and the World Cup in particular with the English side having come under fire for their reliance on force rather than flair.
"I hope with all my heart that South Africa will win the World Cup," said France fly-half Frederc Michalak who will play his club rugby with the Natal Sharks next season.
"Not because I am going to play there, but because their style of play is more spectacular than England."
Defending champions England have reached the final with the lowest points average per match in the 20-year history of the tournament.
They have managed just 22.33 points per game; South Africa have racked up 43.83.
However, statistics sometimes count for little in the final.
In 1995, the All Blacks made the final on the back of scoring an average of 63 points a match.
But on the day they still lost 15-12 to South Africa with Joel Stransky kicking all the points for the champions.
"I have a liking for South Africa. They have tried to play some rugby," said France winger Aurelien Rougerie.
Flanker Thierry Dusautoir, who scored one of France's tries in their quarter-final win over the All Blacks, has been equally unimpressed by the English.
"South Africa have been the most consistent team and deserve to win," said Dusautoir.
"If the English win two titles in a row...." sighed the 25-year-old without completing his sentence.
"We still have a grudge and some bitterness towards the English."
France skipper Raphael Ibanez, who will play his 98th and probably final Test in Friday's bronze medal match against Argentina, has risked the wrath of his English clubmates at London Wasps by also backing South Africa to win.
"Speaking from the heart I think South Africa has been up there, consistent and productive," said Ibanez.
"Their centres can turn the match in a second. And we lost against the English so that also comes into it a bit.
"I'll be going back to training with Wasps soon, and it will be hard to see my team-mates. I'll have to deal with it."
European champions Wasps boast six players in the England squad - former international skipper Lawrence Dallaglio, Simon Shaw, Josh Lewsey, Paul Sackey, Joe Worsley and current captain Phil Vickery.
- AFP
