Rugby World Cup final: England fans gear up for South Africa clash
Fans back Eddie Jones’s side to beat South Africa and join the class of 2003 as World Cup winners. …
Image copyright Getty Images England fans will be glued to television screens up and down the country later as 15 men in white line up to face South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
The game, which kicks off at 09:00 GMT, is being played in Japan but almost 6,000 miles away back home excitement has already reached fever pitch.
It has been 12 years since England were in the final and 16 years since they won it, so fans are understandably excited at the prospect of captain Owen Farrell lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
The Queen has also sent a letter of support via Prince Harry to England’s head coach Eddie Jones calling for a “memorable and successful” final.
As you would expect, a large number of rugby clubs are planning to show the match.
There will be extra excitement at Crewe and Nantwich Rugby Club as their former player Tom Curry will be lining up for England.
“We are really excited and are hoping Tom has a great game,” said coach John Farr.
“He’s had a great tournament so far.”
Mr Farr said there would be “bacon butties and beer” and forecast some “sore heads on Sunday”.
“We are really, really proud that a player who has taken to the field in a Crewe and Nantwich shirt is gong to go out and hopefully lift the Webb Ellis trophy tomorrow,” he said.
A crowded clubhouse is also expected at Manchester Rugby Club in Cheadle Hume where England’s Ben Spencer used to play.
Bridgnorth Rugby Club in Shropshire is planning to show the game despite having its marquee wrecked and pitches submerged by flood water in recent days.
Meanwhile in Birmingham, newlyweds Rosie and Ken Marshall will face an early test of their marriage as they cheer for competing sides, having spent their honeymoon in Japan following the World Cup.
“Rosie and I will be happy for the other whatever the result – even if bragging rights will be decided for the next four years,” said Mr Marshall, 37, originally from Johannesburg.
“It will be a great match and I just hope England win,” said 31-year-old Mrs Marshall.
Both agreed that Mrs Marshall will be the loudest of the two during the big match but, as Mr Marshall confided, “it’s her dad and brother that will be unbearable for the next four years”.
England Rugby has been getting into the swing of things – much like a sweet chariot maybe – by tweeting videos of the team’s previous victories over South Africa.
Not that there’s that many at the World Cup, the Springboks having won three of their four World Cup encounters with the English.
But don’t be disheartened, New Zealand had won all three of their previous World Cup games against England before this year’s semi-final, which Jones’s side won 19-7.
Pupils at Moreton Hall Prep School in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, have also voiced their support for England ahead of the game (be warned, they are loud!)
Jack Crawford, 21, is planning to get up at 06:00 to start his preparations for watching the game at home in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, with his father Scott, who will have just finished a supermarket night shift.
“He won’t be getting any sleep until after the match has finished,” Jack said.
“My prediction is England 40-10 South Africa.”
Not every fan will be watching though, as some can’t bear the pressure.
“I recorded the semi-final and watched it only once I knew the result,” said Mandi Allen from Darlington.
“I just couldn’t stand the pressure. Because I did that at the semis, I’m worried about jinxing the final now if I watch it live.
“I’m so excited though, I reckon England will win 34-24.”
The Evening Standard estimates some 2,000 pubs and bars will open early in London to show the game, while Boxparks in the capital will also be showing coverage from 08:00.
Thousands of pubs are opening across the rest of the country, from Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle in the north to Gloucester and Cheltenham in the south west.
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