RWC Final 2019: The Key Battles That Will Decide The War

One week on from producing perhaps the best ever performance by an English rugby side, England will head into battle once more as they aim to right the wrongs of the 2007 World Cup final against familiar foes South Africa. A controversially disallowed Mark Cueto try put an end to the Red Rose’s bid to be the first side to win back-to-back World Cups twelve years ago. Two equally dubious decisions were made by the TMO last weekend that ruled out two England tries and threatened to derail an otherwise magnificent display, before George Ford steered the game out of sight. Now England must adapt to a wholly different but nevertheless dangerous opponent, as they prepare to face the hard-tackling, box-kicking Springboks who have resurrected themselves following a spell in the rugby wilderness. England themselves have been on a long trail of redemption ever since their disastrous pool-stage exit on home soil in 2015, but whose rebirth will be defined by victory on Saturday, and who will fall at the last hurdle?

George Ford vs Handre Pollard

Owen Farrell has typically been considered the figurehead of this England team, not least because he is the captain and kicker, but after sustaining a dead leg against New Zealand it was Ford who kicked 12 of England’s 19 game-winning points, and kept the All Blacks pegged back inside their own half with his pinpoint kicking for touch. Eddie Jones has been unsurprisingly optimistic about Farrell’s recovery, but Ford will likely assume the kicking responsibilities once more after re-solidifying his place in the side following a prolonged spell among the substitutes. His counterpart Handre Pollard, remarkably still only 25, will look to be more effective than last week’s bore-fest against Wales. The fly-half has been a mainstay in an ever-changing South African line-up since the last World Cup, but will have his work cut out trying to control the game with England’s back line bearing down on him. The tactic of kicking the ball away every 20 seconds only just came off against Wales, but Pollard should not expect the likes of Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson to make the same mistakes as the Welsh last week should he gift them open space to run into.

WINNER: Ford – Equal in the kicking stakes, but Ford offers an extra dimension going forward and defensive cover going back

Ben Youngs vs Faf De Klerk

This is perhaps the most crucial battle across the pitch, as two Premiership scrum-halves go head to head once more. Youngs and De Klerk will both be pleased to be swapping relegation battles for the world’s biggest stage, however, and both have proved throughout the tournament that they are worthy of a place among the world’s elite. Youngs surprised many by getting the better of Aaron Smith last week having ended Will Genia’s international career the week before, while De Klerk’s electric line-breaks and immense tackling have guaranteed him a starting place ahead of Herschel Jantjies. However, his box-kicking was uncharacteristically astray against Wales and his lapse of concentration on a number of occasions in the second half showcased a vulnerability not yet seen at the World Cup. Both are clinical and would be safe bets to score at some point in the game, but what will decide this battle is the boot rather than the hands.

WINNER: De Klerk – Youngs was flawless against New Zealand but De Klerk is a level above, and if he shows up could run the show for the Springboks

Courtney Lawes vs Eben Etzebeth

The only time New Zealand ever looked like scoring against England was when Jamie George passed it to Ardie Savea five yards from his own try line. Obviously, this was not all George’s fault, but an error as severe as that cannot be repeated, particularly against a South African lineout which made a mockery of Japan in the quarter finals. Eben Etzebeth is the focal point of this ball-stealing machine, as the 6ft 8in lock’s aerial dominance has gifted South Africa territorial advantage at key moments throughout the tournament. England have a giant of their own to try and nullify the threat of Etzebeth, in the shape of the 6ft 7in Courtney Lawes, who despite his inconsistent selection is consistently one of the best players on the pitch. The lineout is a key battleground area of this final not just for ball retention, but for penalties. South Africa’s game-winning three points in the 76^thminute against Wales came from the lineout, and England will have to be wary of the Springbok maul, which once it gets going can only really be halted by foul play. Jones has favoured early substitutions in Japan and with George Kruis waiting in the wings, Lawes will likely only be allocated 50 minutes against his opposite number, so will want to leave his mark on what could be his last World Cup appearance for England. 

WINNER: Draw – The two big men will cancel each other out with their lineout expertise, but what could be the difference is who can remain disciplined the longest

Tom Curry vs Pieter-Steph Du Toit

England annihilated New Zealand at the breakdown, with their turnover count at the end of the game being high enough to intimidate any back row in world rugby. However, Du Toit is no shrinking violet, and his standout performance in South Africa’s pool stage loss to the All Blacks set the tone for his world-class displays since that defeat, which have earned him a nomination for 2019 World Player of the Year. Curry, also nominated for the award, has given some of the best players in the world a lesson in winning at the breakdown in recent weeks, with David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Ardie Savea and Kieran Read all unable to cope with the Sale flanker’s performances at the ruck. In Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola, Curry has quite possibly the best wingmen of all time, but at the age of 21 he is already developing into perhaps the world’s best. Whatever happens on Saturday, the future is certainly bright for England’s breakout star.

WINNER: Curry – Du Toit will have his work cut out trying to contain Curry, whose all-round quality will be too much for the Springboks