The biggest surprise of the 2007 final was not that South Africa won but that England managed to make the final at all.

The team, in total disarray since 2003, had been mauled 36-0 by the Springboks in the pool stages, only to rediscover their fighting spirit when they seemed certain to crash out of the tournament.

The South Africans deservedly won the final 15-6, but England still came close to rattling them. They were trailing 9-3 early in the second half when winger Mark Cueto appeared to wriggle over for a try in the corner, but he was ruled to have put a foot in touch.

South Africa, however, made their own luck. By winning their group, they ensured an easy passage to the final, meeting Fiji in the quarter-finals and Argentina in the semis, whereas England had to defeat Australia and France.

As in 1995, the Stade de France final, watched by a crowd of 80,430, did not contain a single try. Indeed, South Africa have won their two trophies without crossing the line in either final.

They ended the 2007 tournament, however, with the top points-scorer - Percy Montgomery with 105 - and the top try-scorer - Bryan Habana with eight.

Had England won, they would have become the first nation to retain the cup, as well as the first team to lift it after losing a pool game. South Africa's success meant they joined Australia with two World Cup triumphs.