SPRINGBOKS LEAD ENGLAND 3-1 AT THE WORLD CUP

ENGLAND 21 SOUTH AFRICA 44 PARIS QUARTER-FINAL 1999

JANNIE DE BEER kicked a record five drop-goals, as well as five penalties and two conversions to tries from Joost Van der Westhuizen and Pieter Rossouw, as England could only manage points from the tee. Paul Grayson kicked six penalties, and a teenage Jonny Wilkinson one. Clive Woodward was livid that England had to play in Paris four days after beating Fiji at Twickenham — and it became the game to inspire his drop-goal masterplan for 2003.

ENGLAND 25 SOUTH AFRICA 6 PERTH POOL STAGE 2003

THE first proper test for both at that World Cup — after England beat Georgia 84-6 and South Africa Uruguay 72-6 — and Clive Woodward’s men blitzed the Boks. Jonny Wilkinson kicked two drop-goals and four penalties, as Will Greenwood scored the only try of the game. It was a victory to set England on their path to World Cup glory in Australia.

ENGLAND 0 SOUTH AFRICA 36 PARIS POOL STAGE TOTAL 2007

Disarray for England against the rampant Springboks, who ran in two tries from JP Pietersen and one from Juan Smith. It was the first time England had been kept scoreless at the World Cup and was thoroughly embarrassing for the world champions. Andy Farrell struggled at centre and was dropped for the rest of the competition, as the harrowing result then led to a player coup of coach Brian Ashton.

ENGLAND 6 SOUTH AFRICA 15 PARIS FINAL 2007

VICTOR MATFIELD ruled the skies in the lineout as Percy Montgomery kicked the Boks to their second World Cup win — but there was controversy that still gripes with England to this day, as Mark Cueto looked to have scored until the TMO ruled out his dive on the left wing, saying his foot was in touch.. The player, and every Englishman was left in dismay at the decision, but Jake White’s team were victorious at the Stade de France.