England dream ended by South Africa
October 20, 2007
England 6 South Africa 15
England's remarkable bid to defend their World Cup title was ended at the final hurdle by South Africa.
No-one gave the defending champions a chance of retaining their title after a 36-0 defeat against the Springboks in the pool stage of the competition.
But they went on to produce two monumental performances to beat Australia and France in the knock-out stages before coming up just short in the Stade de France.
The result was the right one in a game dominated by tactical kicking which the 1995 champions shaded by virtue of their superior lineout work.
Mark Cueto came closest to touching down on both sides in a key passage of play only for his effort to be ruled out by the Television Match Official in a desperately tight call.
And despite have possession to work with in the final 20 minutes England couldn't find a way through the obdurate South African defence.
Full-back Montgomery kicked four penalties and Steyn one, while Wilkinson kicked two for England.
England fielded four survivors from their 2003 World Cup final starting line-up - Wilkinson, skipper Phil Vickery, lock Ben Kay and full-back Jason Robinson, who played his 51st and final Test match before retirement.
England made a promising start, putting immediate pressure on South Africa's back three through some steepling kicks, but the Springboks took a seventh minute lead when Montgomery slotted a penalty after centre Mathew Tait failed to release the ball.
Wilkinson drew England level five minutes later, yet Montgomery continued the game's nip and tuck nature by landing his second penalty after England flanker Lewis Moody tripped Springboks fly-half Butch James.
South Africa's renowned power game finally surfaced as half-time approached as they laid siege to England's line, before they conceded a penalty on the stroke of half-time that Montgomery stroked over for a 9-3 lead.
The real drama though, came early in the secon half as England looked to have forged ahead.
Tait made a brilliant 40-metre break, England recycled possession quickly, and Wilkinson's superb flick-pass looked to have put Cueto over.
But television match official Stuart Dickinson decided Cueto's knee grazed the touchline as he dived over.
Wilkinson kicked an immediate penalty after the Springboks were found guilty of slowing down the ball, narrowing the gap to 9-6.
Robinson's Test career was ended when he limped off on 47 minutes and Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss replaced him, with Tait switching to full-back.
But try as they might England couldn't force a break through, although Tait, Sackey and Cueto all looked threatening.
Montgomery and Steyn duly slotted the kicks that ended England's reign as world champions, with South Africa controlling the last five minutes to run down the clock.
England: J Robinson (Unattached; ); P Sackey (London Wasps), M Tait (Newcastle Falcons), M Catt (London Irish), M Cueto (Sale Sharks); J Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons), A Gomarsall (Harlequins), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Regan (Bristol), P Vickery (London Wasps), S Shaw (London Wasps), B Kay (Leicester Tigers), M Corry (Leicester Tigers), L Moody (Leicester Tigers), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: G Chuter (Leicester Tigers) for Regan 62, M Stevens (Bath Rugby) for Vickery 41, L Dallaglio (London Wasps) for Easter 65, J Worsley (London Wasps) for Moody 62, P Richards (London Irish) for Worsley 70, T Flood (Newcastle Falcons) for Catt 52, D Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers) for Robinson 47.
Scorers: Penalties: Wilkinson 2.
South Africa: P Montgomery; J Pietersen, J Fourie, F Steyn, B Habana; B James, F Du Preez; O Du Randt, J Smit, CJ Van der Linde, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, D Rossouw.
Replacements: B du Plessis (for Smit, 72), W Van Heerden (for Rossouw, 73). Not used: J du Plessis, J Muller, R Pienaar, A Pretorius, W Olivier.
Scorers: Penalties: Montgomery 4, Steyn.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
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