Six stars who can influence result
England face South Africa in what promises to be a brutally compelling Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama tomorrow. AFP Sport looks at three key head-to-head contests as England look to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time and South Africa a third.
Ben Youngs v Faf de Klerk Scrumhalves set the tempo and these two are no exception. Youngs, the son of former England No 9 Nick Youngs, has overcome fitness doubts to establish himself as the first choice in 94 Tests. Possessed of a sound passing and kicking game, Youngs is also capable of making a sniping break as he showed during England’s semifinal win over reigning champions New Zealand where he was unlucky to have a try disallowed. De Klerk may be a diminutive figure but he still squared up to towering lock Jake Ball in South Africa’s 19-16 semifinal win over Wales.
Sam Underhill v Siya Kolisi Underhill and fellow flanker Tom Curry have been two of the stars of England’s campaign in Japan. The 23-year- old Underhill has been superb at the breakdown, securing vital turnover ball. Kolisi’s influence as the Springboks’ first black captain is significant and it would be a landmark occasion in South Africa’s sporting history were the 28-year- old to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. But he has not seemed quite the same force since a knee injury in May and former England flyhalf Stuart Barnes even suggested the Springboks would be better off starting with Francois Louw, a Bath team-mate of Underhill.
Maro Itoje v Eben Etzebeth At the age of 25, the dynamic Itoje has already played in 33 England Tests and three more for the British and Irish Lions. A self- confessed feminist, politics student and poet, one of several Saracens players in the England squad, is far removed from the stereotype of the grizzled second row. But having been superb in the lineout against the All Blacks, he now finds himself up against the imposing 6ft 8in Etzebeth. While in Japan, Etzebeth, the 28-year- old veteran of 84 Tests, has been accused of assault and using racist slurs – charges he denies – but he has maintained his form despite the controversy.