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PARIS - A ruthless South Africa punished England's ill-discipline for a tight 15-6 win over the defending champions in the rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France here this morning.
Fullback Percy Montgomery kicked four penalties and 20-year-old centre Francois Steyn one to hand the Springboks their second World Cup triumph after their victory on home soil in 1995.
Despite holding their own for most of the game, England could not avenge the humiliating 36-0 loss to South Africa in the pool stage barely five weeks ago.
They again showed the forward grit and determined defence that saw them record upset wins over Australia and France in the quarter and semifinals, but could only notch up two penalties from first five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson.
"It's important for our country and everyone back home," said South Africa coach Jake White.
"I'm sure everyone is rejoicing. Congratulations to the players, they've been incredible ambassadors for the country."
Skipper John Smit said he was emotional with the win.
"I'm sitting here and trying not to cry. It's a feeling you can't put into words," said the hooker.
"It's a reward for four years of dedication and hard work. England gave us a good run."
He dedicated the win to his country.
"This is for all of you. Thank you very much for all your support, even in the bad times."
England coach Brian Ashton praised the Springboks.
"I'm very proud of my players but obviously we are disappointed with the defeat," said Ashton.
"I'm disappointed for the players, not for myself. But South Africa deserved it. They were the best team."
Montgomery opened the scoring with his first penalty in the seventh minute when England centre Mathew Tait slipped on the greasy pitch and held on when caught in possession directly in front of the posts.
England's early aerial bombardment paid off when the ball was worked wide after Mark Cueto and Mike Catt combined to strip JP Pietersen of the ball after an Andy Gomarsall up-and-under.
Bryan Habana put in a bone-crunching tackle on Paul Sackey on the right wing but did not roll away, and Wilkinson nailed a tough penalty from close to the touchline.
But Montgomery restored the deficit after Lewis Moody, in an offside position, needlessy aimed a cynical kick at Butch James.
Jason Robinson, in his last-ever game, then produced a fine try-saving tackle on James after the first five-eighths had burst through to gather his own chip over England's rush defence.
With both sides seemingly comfortable fielding endless successions of kicks, and physical blanket defences mopping up most darting forwards drives, the game needed a spark from one individual.
Steyn, the second-ever youngest player in a World Cup final, almost provided that with the first decent break of the game, side-stepping three England defenders with a swarm of green jerseys behind him before Wilkinson hauled the centre down.
Pietersen and Os du Randt, the sole survivor of the 1995 World Cup winning-team, both took it on before the ball was swung left, but captain John Smit was halted just two metres short of the line.
Fourie du Preez went close in the ensuing phase but a careless knock-on gave the advantage away with a try looking imminent and alarm bells ringing in the England camp despite some stirring defence.
But the Boks displayed their set-piece power by turning the scrum after it was set for the third time of asking.
On their put-in, Danie Rossouw drove impressively from the base of the scrum and Victor Matfield took it on. Hands in the ruck by prop Andy Sheridan gifted Montgomery a third penalty and South Africa a 9-3 halftime lead.
The second period started in dramatic fashion, Tait ducking a high Steyn tackle, and streaking 40 metres towards the line, rounding Montgomery before being brought down by a fantastic covering tackle by Matfield.
The ball was spun wide and found Cueto with five metres to go to the whitewash, but a desperate tackle by No 8 Rossouw was ruled to have taken the winger into touch although the video replays did not look convincing.
Wilkinson immediately claimed a consolation penalty after the Bok backs were ruled offside in the build-up.
English ill-discipline, this time by Martin Corry with hands in the ruck, was again punished by a fourth Montgomery penalty after another strong break by Steyn.
The youngster then made amends for a missed long-range penalty with a successful 47-metre shot at goal after obstruction in the England backs with just under 20 minutes to go.
South Africa were then content to play the percentage game, clearing their lines effectively and swarming over any English attack in the same manner that saw them progress through the seven-week, 20-nation World Cup unbeaten and deserved winners.
- AFP
