Underdog tag suits SA, says Mark Andrews

England are favourites for today’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa, but the underdogs tag will suit the Springboks, according to 1995 World Cup winner Mark Andrews.

The lock played eighthman when South Africa shocked the all-conquering All Blacks at Ellis Park in 1995, so he knows exactly how it feels to be the underdog and how to turn that to one’s advantage.

“England are absolutely the favourites,” said Andrews. “It’s going to be very hard for the Springboks, but I give us a 40% chance of winning.

“The way England demolished New Zealand, dominating every phase, I haven’t seen that in 20 years, since France did it to the All Blacks in 1999, but even then they had some calls go their way. But as the first whistle goes in Yokohama, all of that is irrelevant.

“As underdogs, the Springboks actually have more to play for; all that expectation that you should win can brainwash you into thinking you have won before you actually have, like what happened to the All Blacks.

“The underdogs know they have to step up, just like England knew they had to beat the odds in the semi-finals.

“If the Springboks’ strategy is good enough and they implement it, then it will come down to whether they take their chances. And those opportunities will be fewer because everything tightens up in a final – the players are more switched on and the intensity is ramped even higher.”

Both South Africa’s inspirational 1995 triumph and England’s 2003 World Cup title were sealed by flyhalves with ice in their veins kicking extra-time drop goals – Joel Stransky and Jonny Wilkinson immortalising themselves.

Andrews is concerned that with England fielding Owen Farrell and George Ford, that threat is doubled for the Springboks today.

“When England are in our half, between the 10 and 22-metre lines, I think they will carry and carry, but have Farrell and Ford either side of the ruck ready for the drop goal. Who does the scrumhalf chase then?” asked Andrews.

“It’s going to be a vintage strategic contest. England produced the most perfect execution I have seen for a long time in the semi-final, but it’s very hard to produce two perfect games in eight days.

“They’re going to have to lift and sometimes mental exhaustion means you can’t step up.”

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.