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Corry`s final heartbreak

Corry: Thanks the fans despite his heartbreak

England flanker Martin Corry spoke of his team's "heartbreak" after their 15-6 defeat to South Africa tonight saw them relinquish their World Cup crown.

Four kicks from Percy Montgomery and a long-range clincher from François Steyn rendered Jonny Wilkinson's two penalties irrelevant as England failed to overcome a heroic Springbok defence in Paris.

"I can't fault the fight and heart - it's just such a shame when it counts for nothing," Corry told ITV1.

"It all didn't go to plan - but it was so disappointing. We've come so far, and all the fans have been unbelievable. To be so close and not do it is heartbreaking."

Mark Cueto had a try disallowed just after the break for a foot narrowly in touch.

Asked if it was the right decision Corry did not want to dwell on the subject.

"I don't know. You have to get on with it," he added.

England fly-half Wilkinson admitted the Boks deserved their success.

"The South Africa team deserved to win - they've been fantastic all tournament," he said.

"Big respect to them - it's well-deserved.

"It's disappointing. We gave it the best we had and at times we got close enough - and we didn't feel we were going to lose."

He too was not ready to be drawn on the Cueto incident.

"It looked okay, but I'm sure the guy making the decision made a good one," he said.

"Maybe in other games it would have gone our way - but this one didn't."