Pretty-boy Percy still stands out among the macho men

It was hardly surprising that Percival Colin Montgomery, the full-back who will face England on Saturday, should catch the eye. With sun-bleached, blond hair and a physique apparently too frail for Test rugby, Montgomery has always polarised opinion in South Africa, where the alpha male is supposed to spend his time chewing on biltong and downing fizzy lager.

Despite being 6ft and the most-capped Springbok, with 93 appearances and a record 861 points, you will still find fans who would prefer a more macho man at No15.

Montgomery, however, stopped worrying about his detractors a long time ago. For the 33-year-old knows he is incredibly lucky to be heading for a World Cup Final having almost wrecked his career in a moment of madness in 2003.

That was when mild-mannered Montgomery showed a side never seen before when he was sent off for pushing a touch judge while playing for Newport Gwent Dragons against Swansea.

Although he was given a two-year ban, the Welsh Rugby Union effectively saved his career by suspending 18 months of the sentence. Once Montgomery had returned to action he was surprised to be thrown a Test lifeline by Jake White.

Soon after being appointed head coach of the Springboks in 2004, White told Montgomery he wanted him in his squad so he could play a key role in the World Cup three years later.

The full-back grabbed the opportunity - he was the leading points scorer in the 2004 and 2005 Tri-Nations - and as South Africa's answer to Jonny Wilkinson, much rests on his shoulders on Saturday.

Montgomery said: "It is awesome to be in the World Cup Final. Three years ago Jake sat me down and said, 'I want you in my core group of Springboks for the 2007 World Cup.' It's been a long road since that day, with a lot of ups and downs.

"There were people in South Africa who didn't want players like me in the squad and didn't believe in us and the set-up. It took guts for Jake and the management to believe in us and now we are all enjoying what we have achieved at this World Cup. It's awesome."

Like Montgomery, White has taken considerable flak at home and admits the win over England at Twickenham last November saved his job. It also probably saved Montgomery from being discarded by a new coach.

The Springboks are supposed to encapsulate the Rainbow Nation but their ranks are still dominated by the white population and the demand for a quota system in selection will rear its head again after the tournament is over.

White is likely to seek a new challenge outside South Africa and Montgomery is off to join top French side Perpignan, knowing that any new regime is unlikely to include a section in the quota system headed: "Must include Brideshead Revisited fop."

This typically "New South Africa" argument is on hold. For now, Montgomery and the rest of the squad can focus on repeating the country's famous 1995 Cup Final triumph.

Montgomery was part of the Springbok side that beat England 36-0 in the pool stages here but he believes the return to fitness of Wilkinson has changed the dynamics of the contest. England are no longer pushovers and he expects an almighty contest.

"I can believe England have made it to the final despite our win over them because they have now got some of their senior guys back ,including Jonny," said Montgomery. "Those players have been to a World Cup Final before and bring real composure to the squad and they deserve to be here.

"Jonny was on form against Australia and France and that's why they are in the final. He is a class player and he can produce the goods in the really big games. We are going to have to keep a very close eye on him."