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Hi Mum! South African fans live it up at Stade de France
Welcome to Paris! Here we are for the eagerly anticipated World Cup Final between England and South Africa at Stade de France! Stick with us as we count down to this year's biggest sporting event....
All times are local - GMT +2
20:55 - HERE WE GO! The teams have filed out for the anthems, this is it! The place is absolutely buzzing! And that's that for the countdown - following all the action, minute by minute, on our live tracker. Happy viewing! May the best side win.
20:45 - ENGLAND WIN!: The toss that is. Phil Vickery has decided to kick off.
20:17 - GROUND REPORT: Both sets of players on the pitch, and everyone looks very relaxed. How, I don't know. The pressure is almost palpable. The great Brazilian striker Ronaldo turned into a quivering mess of jelly last time a World Cup Final took place at this fabulous arena. One wonders how some of the less experience players will cope with expectations tonight.
19:56 - NOW OR NEVER: "This was always going to be a massive occasion. How do you prepare for it? Maybe this group will not get this chance again, but I must compliment the medical staff and all the professional staff because the guys are all fit and healthy. They've had six weeks of competition with the Tri-Nations before that and they've had the best possible tournament. But there is no more time for talking. It's about getting on with the job." - South Africa coach Jake White speaks his mind on arrival at Stade de France.
19:52 - LIONS: "Pride, I think. Pride in themselves, pride in our own performance, pride in one another and the pride of representing their country. I have total confidence in these guys. They will do their best for England tonight." - England coach Brian Ashton explains what motivates his side as he arrives at the Stade de France.
19:49 - MAIL: England have done all the hard work so why throw it away. England the mighty mighty England, they are the army the barmy barmy army, go England go, we are from South Africa - do it for the disadvantage communities from South Africa, come on Jonny come on Sackey come on Jason come on Phil come on Catt we miss you in that win of 36-0." - Ronnie Prins
19:44 - BIG ASK: South Africa will need to score 99 points tonight if you want to break the tournament record of 361, held by New Zealand (2003).
19:36 - SHAKEN AND STIRRED: England go into the world cup final with 007 on their side. Coach Brian Ashton received a fax and a phone call from the sixth James Bond, actor Daniel Craig, during the week. Craig, a huge rugby fan, is on location in Lithuania and was disappointed that he would not be able to make the big game but asked Ashton to pass on his best wishes to the rest of the team. The inevitable question was posed to Ashton shortly after by one of the English scribes: "Brian - were you given a license to kill?"
19:28 - MAIL: Personally I feel England deserves this cup without a doubt. Let me just say that I have watched every England game this cup in a South African bar, huddled around a couple of other supporters and stuck by our country every step of the way. We've met endless criticism, even the SA sports channel was questioning whether or not we would make it out of the pool stages. And yet here we are, tables fully turned. After convincing the world that England could no longer play Rugby, we have struck back with such undying determination. The general feeling in South Africa at the moment is one of arrogance. It's the pre-assumption that the cup will be theirs that to me makes them unworthy of it. Can they claim the same fight-to-the-death determination England has displayed this cup? I think not. Of course it's highly likely that they will take it. But I have stuck by our team all the way through - after a pathetic losses to South Africa in the past months - and I feel that if ever we were to strike back, now is the time. Good luck to England Rugby tonight, and to all of you that have an undying faith in our team. We may lose the cup, but we haven't lost a drop of pride this cup." - James Tanner
19:20 - FINALLY!: The most minutes it has taken for points to be scored in a RWC final: 27. Michael Lynagh eventually got Australia off the mark with a penalty goal against England in 1991.
19:06 - STOP PRESS: The Stade de France is to be transformed into an immense field of daises! Or so claims the latest RWC press release. Spectators will soon be asked to hold aloft a card featuring a daisy in honour of the tournament's respect for the environment. Not sure how printing 85,000 photos of daisies on card will help Mother Nature's plight, but I it definitely look pretty...
19:01 - MAIL: "SOUTH AFRICA to win! Amaboko-boko deserve it. Go Springboks, Go!" - Bongekile Majola
18:53 - PRESENT & CORRECT: Okay, perhaps it's time for a quick roll-call. Spotting in the beer tents so far: Lord Nelson (x1), Biggles (x2), King Arthur (x1), knights of the round table (x6), Thompson Twins (x4 so eight, I guess), Sébastien Chabal (x 2), Nelson Mandela (x7), man with giant inflatable heart (x1). pin-striped city gents (x5), Dallaglio judo fights (x3).
18:41 - GROUND REPORT: Although the doors of the stadium don't open until seven, the environs are already a heaving mass of fans. South Africans, English, French, New Zealand, Australian - they are all here and being egged on by a fabulous Basque band. Oh, what I would do not to be on duty!
18:10 - MAIL: "The form teams of the RWC were all in the path that the Boks took to the final. FIji, the surprise team who dispatched Wales, and the very impressive Argentinians who must rank as at the least the third best team of the tournament. The Barging Argies showed with their victories over Ireland (a great side) and the hosts France (twice in case you think it was a fluke) that they deserved to reach the finals and probably would have been had they been in the other half of the draw. England have not convinced me that they deserve to be there. Ignore the pool game they lost to SA. They have struggled in games of tense but poor rugby, dominated by mistakes and missed kicks, to narrowly squeeze through. They have struggled to score tries; the telling try that unravelled the French was well worked but ultimately a result of a fabulously unpredictable and lucky bounce. Worse still they are struggling to convert even their few tries. Once France had yet again surprised the All Blacks out of a tournament that they deserved to win, that half of the draw was open to be won by whichever team made the least mistakes. It was ugly. The boks have shown they can score tries and lots of them and then convert them too against tough defences and very physical teams. The boks have proved that they deserve to be in the final. Drop goals be damned. It's the Boks by at least 30 points." - Gery Augstburger
17:52 - MUGGED: The amount of money being passes this way and that is making me feel quite giddy. Tickets aside, it's 7 euros for a pint at all the official beer tents ... and they are still queuing!
17:35 - MAIL: "South Africa: Probably; England: Possibly. As an England fan, I feel SA have the edge and could possibly run away with it. But, anything can happen and my opinions mean nothing once the ball is first kicked into the air. If England do win, it will be close. What I don't want is to hear all the nonsense about an England victory being the death of rugby. This is cobblers and bad sportsmanship to boot. If a person cannot see the sport in such a team of erstwhile losers getting this far - and just possibly winning the cup again - then they have no business watching or commenting on any sport. Ya boo gloating belongs in politics, not sport. Never mind Johnny, let's see Sackey and Robinson do something today! England by 3 - with some fluidity for good measure. Puer tantus fio et effugam
(A big boy done it and runned away)" - Paul in Peru
17:18 - SALES PITCH: I have just witnessed a tout dismissing an offer of E1,000 for a ticket. The wad of notes was even proffered by the England fan, but our shadowy friend was having none of it.
17:16 - MAIL: "England, with their unjustified, self-assured arrogance: 0. South Africa, carried on heart, passion, brilliant players, skill, ability and sheer strength: 32." - Barry Ahern
17:10 - TOP GEAR: I have just spotted Jeremy Clarkson at the centre of a swarm of snap-happy England fans! The big man seems to be having a whale of a time, and is confident of an England victory. But he didn't like my UFO analogy or buy me a beer. Poor form.
16:43 - MAIL: "My opinion is that our boys are on the right track and all the critics that were against Jake White in the past are forgotten. I've said this in the past that we have a right coach, but South African were not patients enough. GO SOUTH AFRICA GO!" - Sibusiso Dlodlo
16:32 - GROUND REPORT: Things are starting to cook up here! Admittedly, the Stade de France isn't located in the most joyous part of town, but a ring of beer tents surrounds the stadium, and the punters are suckling like hungry little piglet. I've just completed a lap of the place, and can report that the English are in very good spirits indeed. The South Africans, by contrast, are taking things slowly and are enjoying more civilised warm-up. Could it be that everyone knows that roles will be reversed by tonight's score?
16:07 - ALIEN ABDUCTION: Wow. The first glimpse of the Stade de France always takes the breath away. With its weird halo roof and wide, buttressed stairways, it looks just like a humongous UFO. I see busy humans scuttling around it, hanging banners, rolling out carpets and arranging pots of small trees. Are we preparing for a first encounter with a third kind? Okay, I admit it - I have already visited the Heineken tent.
16:03 - TAKE THAT: Today's headline of L'Equipe reads 'UNE FIN PITOYABLE' (A pitiful end). Ouch! But surely the credit must go to the magnificent Pumas...
15:58 - MAIL: "A hard game and lots of on the edge of your seat nail biting. I really rate the Springboks and I believe that there favs for the cup, but England have won it four years ago and know what pressure is, so don't write them off as I'd love to see a full-on England onslaught that thrashes the Boks. But my prediction is a South African win although as an Englishman I'll be routing for an England cup-lifting event and the first back to back Cup winners ever. Come on England put the football side to shame." - Mark Edge
15:52 - WAR REPORT: Well, from where I am standing - on the Rue de la Chapelle - I'd say there are as many South African foot-soldiers on the streets of Paris as there are English. But the red and white army's mechanical division has put the battle of the streets well beyond doubt. Cars flying the flag of St George are circling the city, honking nosily and drawing cheers and whistles from all that they pass.
15:49 - ARMCHAIR PUNDITRY: People's predictions mailed into us include:
England to win 15-12 - Phil Boyle
England to win 26-23 - Kyle Pickering
RSA to win 27-15 - Theo van der Linde
and
England: 1 x try + 3 x penalties = 14
South Africa 2 x tries, 1 x conversion, 3 x penalties + 1 x drop goal = 24
- A highly analytical Sandy Werner
15:39 - MEANWHILE: The streets of Cape Town, normally all a-bustle on a Saturday afternoon, are ludicrously quiet, but barbecue smoke is rising from behind pretty much every garden wall, along with Leon Schuster songs and beery chants.
15:31 - MAIL: "You would have to say England deserve to win by virtue of their performances of winning each game since the first with quite gutsy performances. They are like a old boxer who just keeps going despite what is thrown at him." - Phil Wild, New Zealand
15:25 - GROUND REPORT: Well, I have just arrived at Stade de France after walking all the way from Gare du Nord! The Métro strike is officially over, but not all the lines are back up. But what a day for a six-mile walk! The sun is shining, the beer is flowing and fans of every persuasion are laughing, singing and drinking together. Traffic was stopped momentarily as an impromptu scrum between South African and England fans lurched into the road. The greens got the shove on, but I reckon the white loosehead lost his footing. The set-piece then broke up into macho hugs. You've gotta love this game!
15:10 - MEMORIES: The mood of the day is being set by a host of re-runs of World Cups gone by. John Kirwan's brilliance in 1987 has just been on, while we are being treated to the 1991 tournament now. Great competition... I just hope Wilkinson isn't watching the kicking of Gavin Hastings in the '91 semi-final.
14:37 - BLESS: A group of lads at a bar table reading the Sun laughing fit to burst... apparently a nine-year-old girl is asking Jonny Wilkinson for a nine-year promise of marriage - when she will be old enough. Wonder if Jonny will convert?
14:11 - INSIDER INFO: Will Greenwood's column about the World Cup final day in the Telegraph reads: "Lunch can't come fast enough. Then bed or a film, anything that takes your mind off the match, anything to conserve emotional energy." Hmmm. Not Lassie then.
14:05 - FRIENDLY BANTER: The pre-match tension in England is being lightened by some moments of comedy from both sets of fans. A emailed joke about Bryan Habana beating England on his own has been matched by a link to a classic Spitting Image sketch.
13:54 - MAIL: "South Africa as England should not even be in the final. They only win games with penalties, mainly for technical offences." - Robert Johnson.
13:40 - STAT ATTACK: South Africa are yet to score less than 30 points in any game at this World Cup, and are yet to score fewer than three tries in any game. Yonk!
13:35 - MAIL: "hi there, i do believe that south africa,have come to this competion with all the luck in the world. i watched most of there games,and saw a very lucky team. they were getting all the lucky bounces on the ball ...all the right ref decision,and all thier bad play going unnoticed...fiji had them on the ropes for most of the game,but ruan out of steam,due to lack of experience,and rugby world matchplay. argentina on the other hand were completly exhausted......as for them reaching the final....well they did beat argentina.......well im sure you have worked it out im a english man,and i do beleive that we can win the match tonight,but in all sport you do need some luck,,,,,,so i hope and pray that south africas will run out tonignt,,and england will make rugby world history" - ronnie
13:25 - OH YOU GUYS: World Cup winner Richard Hill in his Guardian colomn: "In the early days Mike Catt, me and Jonny (Wilkinson) used to have a competition: whoever got recognised the most had to buy the coffees. Usually Cattie ended up buying because he counted drivers giving him the thumbs up. I don't think it would be that way now if the three of us were on a street together." Who says it is a glamour life being an international rugby player...
12:56 - CONFESSION: Brian Ashton: "Looking back, we were far too complacent in our approach to playing America in the opening game, and then against South Africa we were outplayed." But you've come a long way since... No complacency tonight, I fancy!
12:42 - BEEP BEEP: In England the phone has not stopped going off with text messages. It appears the South African relatives who had disowned me have suddenly found their voices. God knows what they will be like if they win...
11:45 - FAIR PLAY: Many of the 'neutrals' are wearing scarves that are red and white .... and green and gold, bearing the names and emblems of both sides. That just about sums up the attitude of this wonderful festival of rugby: everyone is a winner. What a tournament, what a sport! Sorry, I'm welling up.
11:29 - LINGUA FRANCA: Have just had a wander around Gare du Nord - not a French voice to be heard.
10:17 - BULLDOG: "Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others." - British PM Gordon Brown leans on Sir Winston Churchill in his message to Brian Ashton and his troops.
09:56 - MAIL: "I really hope South Africa win the final. England are by far the most boring team in world rugby and I think a victory for ten man rugby would be a sad indictment on the game. It's hard to see this game being much of a spectacle and I think that's sad for the sports showpiece event." - Warwick B, Oz
09:30 - MUSINGS: A few stats to chew on with your breakfast:
* The countries have met on 29 occasions - South Africa lead the series 16-12, with one draw.
* England's record win was a 53-3 success at Twickenham in 2002, while South Africa boast a best of 58-10 (Bloemfontein, 2007).
* South Africa have won the last four Tests against England, including a 36-0 World Cup pool victory almost five weeks ago.
* The only drawn Test match between England and South Africa produced a 3-3 scoreline at Crystal Palace in 1906.
* Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson needs 24 points on Saturday to reach 1,000 for England.
* South Africa are 2-1 ahead on previous World Cup meetings, having beaten England in 1999 and 2007.
* Full-back Jason Robinson will make his 51st and final England appearance on Saturday before retiring from all rugby.
* Springboks winger Bryan Habana needs one try to break New Zealander Jonah Lomu's World Cup record of eight in one tournament.
* Springboks full-back Percy Montgomery is the top scorer in this year's World Cup with 93 points.
* South Africa have scored 33 tries in the tournament, compared with England's tally of 12.
08:50 - IDIOTS: A group of Englishmen, in dinner jackets, bait a pair of defenseless Kiwis. "What are you doing here? ... Losing to the team that finished fourth is not so bad!" etc. etc. Credit to the Kiwis, they took it all with good grace.
08:46 - MAIL: "Good on yous for macking it this far hope yous win dive the poms into the ground." - It's obviously been an early start fot 'Bauld Eagle'.
08:45 - QUOTE: "I'm an emotional guy. I'll be thinking of friends, family, because it is playing for your country. It doesn't matter how many times, this is the biggest match of my life, obviously." - England hooker Mark Regan on how he'll feel during the national anthem before Saturday's final against South Africa.
08:42 - SUN: What happened there? Now it's beautifully sunny - very chilly, but sunny. Is that good news for the Boks?
08:27 - SWEET: Six children, all wearing tiny England jerseys, looked stunned as a group of Parisians give them a standing ovation on the street! How about that for entente cordial?
08:22 - IDIOT: A South African fan - a bit worse for wear - loses it on the reception at my hotel. "Why is there no record of my booking? ... I paid on the internet! ... This place is a joke, marn! ... Call the manager now hey!" The manager, actually called Hugo, points out that our friend is standing in the wrong hotel.
08:17 - MAIL: "Hopefully Wayne Barnes watched the France Argentina play-off and picked up a few tips on how to spot a forward pass." - Gareth Williams can't let it lie.
08:10 - RAIN: Have just woken up and it's tipping down. Is that good news for England? Not that a soggy stage is likely to slow down Bryan Habana...
