After eight years of dominance of the All Blacks, rugby will have a new sovereign on Saturday. England, executioner of New Zealand in the semifinals, and South Africa, which appealed to Wales, compete in Yokohama (10:00 hours in Spain) the final of the 2019 World Cup. The Springboks were champions in 1995 and 2007, last edition before the double of the All Blacks (2011 and 2015). The XV de la Rosa was crowned once, in 2003 against Australia (20-17), then directed by Eddie Jones, current English coach.

"We know how we have to play at a tactical level, we are in full physical form. Historically it is the most intimidating rival, we will have to be tough," said the Australian coach. His opponent on the bench, Rassie Erasmus, confirmed that it will be his last game in front of the Boks. "It is exciting and magnificent to play this final, but in three days it will be over. In any case I will continue to collaborate with the new coach," he said.

Jones has decided to maintain his starting formation, giving George Ford confidence again as an opening. Alternate against Australia in the quarterfinals (40-16) and holder against New Zealand in the semifinals (19-7) will be associated in the center with Owen Farrell. The Australian has introduced a change in his substitutes, with the half Melee Ben Spencer, three times international and only 20 minutes from the bench, taking the place of Willi Heinz, injured in the semifinal.

"Trust" and "honesty"

"The week has been good and the goal has been to gain volume in training rather than sharpening our blades," Jones warned. "We will play without fear. We will probably face South Africa itself throughout the tournament, so we must take advantage of our options to make a difference," added the prestigious coach, who agreed to the position after the English fiasco at the 2015 World Cup.

His formidable work as a successor to Stuart Lancaster can be summed up in two concepts: "trust" and "honesty." "You can choose a team and a scheme with which the players feel comfortable, as in front of Australia. Then you can change that group and nobody in the locker room questions it. They just go out to play and comply with the established plan," says Lawrence Dallaglio , former English captain and world champion in 2003.

Kolbe, recovered

Throughout his four years in office, Jones has publicly reiterated his goal of bringing England to the top. However, each of his speeches always ended with the same tag: "We are not there yet," revealed the best paid coach in the world, with an annual salary of around 900,000 euros.

In the XV of South Africa the greatest novelty will be the ownership of Cheslin Kolbe, wing of the Stade Toulousain, recovered from his ankle injury. It will be the only Erasmus change with respect to the group that beat Wales in the semifinals (19-16). Kolbe, 26 years old and 13 times international, had been injured in the group stage, in the win against Italy (49-3). Then he was far from his best level in the quarterfinals against Japan (26-3) and did not play in the semifinals.

At Yokohama Stadium, he will replace Sbu Nkosi. "It is hard for him to get out of the call, but also for the other seven players not called and the two who have returned home due to injury (Trevor Nyakane and Jesse Kriel). His contribution has been vital," Erasmus concluded.

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