England can avenge that Bok bashing

England's rugby heroes were given the chance to avenge their most humiliating World Cup result ever as South Africa last night joined them in Saturday's final.

The Springboks, 36-0 winners over England in the group stages, beat Argentina 37-13 in the second semi-final at the Stade de France.

England, 14-9 victors over France on Saturday night, prepared for the their second successive World Cup final by declaring: "The job is not done yet."

Flanker Joe Worsley, whose last-ditch tap tackle saved England, said: "What's gone counts for nothing. You only get something for winning. We've got to win this World Cup now."

Written off as 279-1 outsiders earlier in the tournament, England's elimination of France has left their players one momentous match away from an even greater achievement than their 2003 triumph.

Head coach Brian Ashton said: "They've come so far that I cannot imagine they will be satisfied with getting to the final."

Josh Lewsey looks certain to miss the game with a hamstring injury with Dan Hipkiss likely to replace him in a reshuffle at centre and Mathew Tait moving to the wing.

No country in the 20 years of the competition have won successive World Cups and Ashton added: "They'll want to create history. They've been in this situation before and know what it takes to handle the pressure of these big occasions."

Referring to Saturday night's low key celebrations, he added: "The players might have had a couple of drinks - certainly no more than that. We didn't get back from the stadium until gone one o'clock and they weren't going to let anything distract them now they're so close."

Jonny Wilkinson, the match-winner par excellence, was among those who settled for a quiet night, as usual.

"He probably enjoyed himself for - what? - 15 minutes before beginning to think of the final," said defence coach Mike Ford. "I've never worked with anyone like him. He knows everything about the game and that allows him to read it so brilliantly."