For the English the prize would be winning the World Cup at home after previously failing against Australia on home soil with a 12-6 loss in the 1991 final. 

The English, however, set the record straight in 2003 when they beat the Wallabies 20-17 in Sydney, thanks to an extra-time drop goal by flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson to hand a northern hemisphere their only World Cup title to date.

Four years on and the English were on once again in the final, this time in France. However, it was the Springboks who denied them this time, with a 20-6 win at Stade de France in Paris.

With three finals to their name (1991, 2003 and 2007) and just one title, it's only the French who have a worse conversion rate, with losses in all three finals they have been involved in.

The Springboks have entered the tournament with the best conversion rate, having reached the championship match on two occasions and winning the 1995 World Cup in South Africa and the aforementioned 2007 title in France.

Springbok captain, Jean de Villiers, is of the view that, while the rugby will be important, enjoying the moment is just as important and the pressure of winning a third title will bring added pressure.

"It's important to always stay focused as to what the job at hand is and that's obviously playing rugby and putting up good performances and winning, but also getting into the World Cup spirit and also enjoying your time in a different country and seeing new places.

"It's impossible to be on a tour like this for seven weeks and just concentrate on rugby for 50 days straight."

The Springboks, defending champions, the All Blacks, and the Wallabies, are all aiming to become the first team to lift the coveted Webb Ellis Trophy for a third time. 

Morgan Piek / OFM News