After nearly two months of fantastic rugby and the most colourful and passionate crowds imaginable, it's all over for another four years. Leaving all the rugby nuts out there with four years to wait and save up for the next tournament in New Zealand.

In the end there can be little argument that the best team over the entire competition will be taking the Webb Ellis Trophy home with them.

It was a much improved performance from the English after their 36-0 drubbing at the hands of the same opponents just four short weeks ago, but in the end they simply weren't good enough on the day that really counted.

It could have been so different, though. England were just six points behind when Mark Cueto crossed the line for a try. However, after three minutes of deliberation, the video referee ruled out a seemingly perfect safe try.

After that the Springboks were able to play out time, extending their lead in the process, holding on through the final minutes with little drama, helped by a gargantuan performance from Bakkies Botha, to get their hands on 'that little yellow cup' for the second time in four attempts.

For Jake White, it was justification for resting his top players for the tri-nations earlier in the year--quite an act to follow for whoever is left to fill his shoes after the tournament.

In the England camp, desolation after coming so close.

But there is every reason to be proud when many 'experts', myself included, thought that they would struggle to even qualify from a bruising Pool A.