Rugby World Cup final: Five key battles where England vs South Africa will be won and lost
EDDIE JONES has seen Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Mako Vunipola turn themselves into England rugby heroes during this World Cup.
But they will become legends if they can beat South Africa in the final in Yokohama.
To do so, though, they must beat the Springboks in five keys battles.
Here, SunSport looks at the areas where the battle for the Webb Ellis Cup will be won and lost.
1 Line-out
England were amazing with the throw against New Zealand.
The only try the All Blacks scored - the only one they even looked like scoring - came from the Red Rose's one slip up.
So much is dictated from the line-out now - a quick ball, a line through the middle or an unstoppable rolling maul.
But you need to be clever, and England have been, with varied calling and smart use of dummy runners. Keep it up and they should have the edge.
2 Kicking
Territory is key. The easiest way to win it, avert danger and force mistakes is with the boot.
Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk is a brilliant box kicker, excellent at catching despite his small size and a relentless chaser of his own punts.
George Ford was incredible against the All Blacks, holding his nerve and picking the right option throughout.
This will be tight kicking from hand and off the tee.
Captain Farrell - whose inspiration has come from an 11-year-old boy fighting a crippling illness - has 46 points this tournament. Handre Pollard has 47.
The pair have attempted 24 kicks apiece, with Farrell slightly the more accurate having made eight of nine penalties and 11 of 15 conversions – Pollard has 10 penalties and seven conversions to his name.
This is too close to call.
3 Maro Itoje vs Eben Etzebeth
Both these locks make it into our combined XV. Their roles are the same – tackle, get back on your feet, win the ball, repeat.
They are both huge. Itoje is 6ft 5ins and just over 18st. Etzebeth one of the biggest men in rugby at 6ft 8ins and more than 19st.
If they collide then it will measure on the Richter scale.
Itoje pips it though because of his versatility with ball in hand. He has made 54m from 26 carries. Etzebeth just 28m from 22 carries.
4 Lord of the Skies
Kicking is the easiest way to get into point-scoring territory – therefore, it’s crucial it is defended well.
England have the advantage here. Elliott Daly has been targeted in the past but has looked relatively solid this tournament, with Anthony Watson and Jonny May impressing.
Willie le Roux on the other hand has struggled, dropping simple catches when unopposed.
Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi have covered for him but Le Roux will be under pressure not to slip up again.
Advantage England.
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5 The Breakdown
English speed or South African strength? Will one run out of energy before the other?
South Africa’s massive pack including Duane Vermeulen and Lood De Jager will make it difficult for England to muscle them off the ball.
But what Jones’ men do have is lightning pace and intelligence. They will get to the breakdown quicker and – with strength in numbers – team up to win turnovers.