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Springboks unchanged for WC final

  • Story Highlights
  • South Africa unchanged for World Cup final against England in Paris
  • Wickus van Heerden replaces Bobby Skinstad among replacements
  • Coach Jake White warning that England will be tough opponents
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LONDON, England -- South Africa have named an unchanged line-up for Saturday's World Cup final against holders England in Paris.

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Coach White has been able to pick from a fully-fit squad for Satruday's final.

Coach Jake White was able to stick with the side that beat Argentina 37-13 in their semifinal as tight-head prop CJ van der Linde shrugged off concerns over a knee problem.

He is joined in the front row by veteran loose-head Os du Randt, the only survivor from the Springboks' 1995 World Cup victory on home soil.

The winners of match in the Stade de France will become the first side to lift the Webb Ellis trophy twice.

South Africa coach Jake White makes one change among his replacements as loose forward loose forward Wickus van Heerden replaces Bobby Skinstad.

Van Heerden was outstanding in the 36-0 demolition of England in the pool stages of the competition and owes his place to that performance.

White explained: "It was quite simple. There were no emotional decisions made. We felt that the way Argentina played, Bobby (Skinstad) was suited to that game.

"It's only fair on Wickus as he played a massive role against England in the pool game. He played a massive role in the way we played."

South Africa start clear favorites having beaten England four times in the past 11 months, including the pool stage mauling, but White is guarding against complacency.

"England have a group of players who have won a World Cup," he said. "They have a huge advantage in that they can have team meetings and talk about what happens in the build-up to a World Cup final.

"I've only got one guy in my staff in Eddie Jones who is helping me unbelievably in terms of preparation.

"I can only imagine what sort of advantage they have with guys like Lawrence (Dallaglio) and (Martin) Corry talking, and (Phil) Vickery and maybe (head coach) Brian Ashton talking.

"Even a guy like Josh Lewsey, although he is not playing this weekend (because of a hamstring injury), I am sure he will play a major role in their preparation.

"That is a massive advantage for them. And they must be in a great mindset. They were dead and buried a couple of weeks ago, and then they beat Australia and France on consecutive weekends.

"It's going to be a completely different outing for us than in the pool game."

England: J Robinson; P Sackey, M Tait, M Catt, M Cueto; J Wilkinson, A Gomarsall; A Sheridan, M Regan, P Vickery (capt), S Shaw, B Kay, M Corry, L Moody, N Easter.

Replacements: G Chuter, M Stevens, L Dallaglio, J Worsley, P Richards, T Flood, D Hipkiss.

South Africa: P Montgomery; JP Pietersen, J Fourie, F Steyn, B Habana; B James, F du Preez, O du Randt, J Smit (capt), CJ van der Linde, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, D Rossouw.

Replacements: B du Plessis, J du Plessis, J Muller, W van Heerden, R Pienaar, A Pretorius, W Olivier.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland). E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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