Rugby heroes face Springboks in final

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The Springboks are the bookies' favourites but England coach Brian Ashton has backed his squad to make rugby history.

"I can't imagine this group of players would ever be satisfied just by getting to the final," he said.

"They have come so far on a very difficult journey during the World Cup. They want to create history."

The Springboks defeated Argentina 37-13 in a pulsating semi-final match to set up an eagerly awaited encounter with Ashton's men in Paris next weekend.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes make South Africa odds on at 1/3 for victory while England are 9/4 to win.

Ticket prices for the game have soared, with sellers asking thousands of pounds to watch the Stade de France showpiece.

England captain Phil Vickery and his team-mates will start as underdogs despite a turnaround in form which culminated in them defeating host nation France in an exciting encounter on Saturday.

Viewing figures revealed the final nerve-wracking moments of the match were watched by more viewers then any other sporting event this year, with 12 million fans tuned in to the game's last crucial five minutes as England held out for a momentous 14-9 win.

Tickets for Saturday's final are already changing hands for more that £3,000, according to the chief executive of an online ticket exchange.