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South Africa are clear favourites going into the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final.

As their coach, Jake White, rightly pointed out in the first press conference following their Semi-Final trouncing of Argentina, South Africa is a squad that has been together for four years. They have spent the bulk of that time preparing for this tournament, at the expense of almost everything else, and it has shown!

Try Scorers = High Points Scorers

One of the main themes running through South Africa’s RWC matches this year has been the number of points they have put on the board in each game they have played. In previous world cups, South Africa have often relied heavily on the boot, using it to great effect landing dropped-goals left, right and centre in the 1990s, before the rest of the world had realised that Rugby World Cups could be played in such a manner.

It was perhaps, then, surprising to see a South African side which seems to relish back play - which they do.

There is, as always, a good explanation for this: Bryan Habana & JP Pietersen. These two wingers have pace to burn. Habana overtook Jonah Lomu’s Rugby World Cup try scoring record in the semi-final, by scoring two tries, which is certainly no mean feat, as Lomu was awesome in the ‘95 World Cup (particularly in demolishing Mike Catt, of England).

These two are frighteningly quick, and are natural wingers, look out for some scintillating runs from them.

Monty

Another key figure for the South Africans is Percy Montgomery, the 33 year old full-back and most capped player in their ranks. Despite being in international exile between 2001 and 2004 - as he played in Wales and South Africa did not call up players who weren’t playing in the country - he has amassed 93 caps and played in two Rugby World Cups since 1997.

Montgomery does the Springbok’s kicking, and has racked up a whopping 93 points already at this years Rugby World Cup - it looks likely he’ll break the 100 point barrier in the Final.

In Summary

South Africa are a team with a tremendous back-line, huge pace at both wings, and an incredibly experienced and dependable goal-kicking full-back. If they do possess a weakness, it is in scrummaging, as we saw in the pool game against England and again in the Semi-Final against Argentina, the South African forwards struggle against a strong pack.

Their forwards, however, are good in line-outs; rucking and mauling are also no problem for them. With their more than capable backs, and accurate goal-kicker, they pose a huge threat to any opposition.

South Africa have been preparing for the 2007 Rugby World Cup while other teams weren’t. In this years Try Nations, they all but rested the entire team, instead opting for experimental line-ups in order to pick the full 22 man squad for the RWC (unlike New Zealand and Australia who went full-strength the whole Try Nations - and went home from RWC after the quarter finals). This squad has been together for four years, and they know each other’s game well enough to compliment each other perfectly.

Expect tries, points from the boot, and some startling speed on the wings.