Just over a month ago
in the Stade de France a South African team brimming with confidence flattened
Fast forward four short weeks and England are unrecognisable from the team that walked off the pitch in Saint Denis dejected.
The rugby world cup has seen come backs of Lazarus proportions, underdogs biting hard and pre tournament favourites drooping like flies.
England against all the odds regrouped after that heavy defeat to Jake White's men coming out of the pool after tough physical encounters with both Samoa and Tonga. With Johnny Wilkinson finding his form the World Champions were slowly but surely moving up through the gears.
Old foes Australia couldn't batter down the English rearguard in the quarter final with the likes of Flanker Joe Worsley, Prop Andrew Sheridan and full back Jason Robinson in fine form.
After suffering a heart wrenching injury time loss in the world cup final in Australia four years ago the Wallabies had to go through similar agony in Marseille going down by 12-10 to England.
At that point English coach Brian Ashton would have considered England's journey in the 2007 World Cup a massive success after four years of mediocrity since lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003.
But more was to come from the Chariot carriers.
Against all the odds England overcame the considerable challenge of the hosts France in the semi-final storming to victory thanks to the reliable boot of Johnny Wilkinson by 14-9.
To win the World Cup England would have to do something no other winning country has done - namely win the world cup despite losing a game along the way.
In their way stand a determined and focussed South African side who have impressed constantly in this world cup.
Players such as the fastest man in world rugby wing Bryan Habana, captain John Smit and the Springboks most capped player Percy Montgomery have ensured South Africa have played hard, fast and exciting rugby while rolling up the sleeves when needs be.
They will present England with a new challenge, one that the men in white will relish.
While many are quick to write off England's chances of retaining the World Cup they would do well to remember that only five years ago South Africa suffered their largest ever defeat in a full international when they went down by 53-3 to England at Twickenham.
An awful lot has changed since then but psychologically the Springboks may still fear the English and on the basis of recent games they'd be right to.
By Graham Clifford
The rugby world cup has seen come backs of Lazarus proportions, underdogs biting hard and pre tournament favourites drooping like flies.
England against all the odds regrouped after that heavy defeat to Jake White's men coming out of the pool after tough physical encounters with both Samoa and Tonga. With Johnny Wilkinson finding his form the World Champions were slowly but surely moving up through the gears.
Old foes Australia couldn't batter down the English rearguard in the quarter final with the likes of Flanker Joe Worsley, Prop Andrew Sheridan and full back Jason Robinson in fine form.
After suffering a heart wrenching injury time loss in the world cup final in Australia four years ago the Wallabies had to go through similar agony in Marseille going down by 12-10 to England.
At that point English coach Brian Ashton would have considered England's journey in the 2007 World Cup a massive success after four years of mediocrity since lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003.
But more was to come from the Chariot carriers.
Against all the odds England overcame the considerable challenge of the hosts France in the semi-final storming to victory thanks to the reliable boot of Johnny Wilkinson by 14-9.
To win the World Cup England would have to do something no other winning country has done - namely win the world cup despite losing a game along the way.
In their way stand a determined and focussed South African side who have impressed constantly in this world cup.
Players such as the fastest man in world rugby wing Bryan Habana, captain John Smit and the Springboks most capped player Percy Montgomery have ensured South Africa have played hard, fast and exciting rugby while rolling up the sleeves when needs be.
They will present England with a new challenge, one that the men in white will relish.
While many are quick to write off England's chances of retaining the World Cup they would do well to remember that only five years ago South Africa suffered their largest ever defeat in a full international when they went down by 53-3 to England at Twickenham.
An awful lot has changed since then but psychologically the Springboks may still fear the English and on the basis of recent games they'd be right to.
By Graham Clifford
