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Boks must `KIS`

KIS for Schalk Burger

Schalk Burger believes playing "hero rugby" would be the worst route for South Africa to take in Saturday's World Cup Final against England.

The Springboks go into the Stade de France clash as favourites following their unbeaten run to the Final, which included a 36-0 whitewash of the World Cup holders in the group stages.

A melange of power up front and cutting edge in the backs has made Jake White's men the stand-out team in this competition.

Burger is confident that "keeping it simple" and playing the percentages is the way to go against England.

"We don't have to do anything new," said the Stormers flanker, who was suspended for the meeting between the two countries last month.

"We just have to stick to the same gameplan, but maybe do it a little bit better.

"Jake has just told us to keep it simple and do what we have been doing over the past few weeks. And that's what we are
going to try to do.

"There is no room for hero rugby on Saturday, it's just about doing the basics well. Hopefully that will be enough."

The South Africans know all about the current England crop - this will be the sixth time the sides have met in less than a year.

In November 2006, they shared a win apiece at Twickenham, but since then the Springboks have run riot against Brian Ashton's men.

The two hammerings of England on their mid-year tour to South Africa were followed by the humiliating Pool A defeat of the holders on September 14.

It is no wonder Burger and co are confident heading into the match, and the 24-year-old flanker insists it is now all about grasping the nettle on the biggest stage of all.

"We know what they can offer because we have faced them before. So we are pretty well prepared for this," he added.

"We just have to go out there are play good rugby like we have been doing.

"It's obviously been a bit different to a normal Test week and the mind keeps on racing into the future.

"You try to keep it as normal as possible but at the moment, it's a bit hectic.

"But when you get an opportunity, you have to take it. You can't get a better example of that than with New Zealand - they have been the best team in the world for four years and they haven't had a run at the final."

Burger is one of the most physical back row forwards in the game, often showing little regard for personal preservation at the breakdown.

The Springboks loose trio of Burger, Juan Smith and Danie Rossouw will have their hands full against England counterparts Martin Corry, Lewis Moody and Nick Easter.

That sideshow could decide the outcome of the final, and Burger - who picked up a two-game ban in the group stages for a dangerous tackle against Samoa - is expecting nothing but a battle.

"There will be a lot of emphasis on the set-piece and we all know there's going to be a lot of physical contact.

"But physicality is something us South Africans pride ourselves on. It is with the English as well, so it's bound to be a tough game.

"I've been lucky, I've had a couple of weeks off so I'm feeling a lot better than a lot of the guys who have played six games in a row.

"But when you get to a final, you forget about being tired."

A South Africa win on Saturday will end a long 12-year wait for world glory for the rainbow nation.

Burger was a fresh-faced 12-year-old when the class of 1995, led by Francois Pienaar, defeated the All Blacks in Johannesburg to raise aloft the Webb Ellis Trophy for the first time.

He knows the whole country is pushing the team on this weekend.

"It's been crazy back home - I think South Africans are wearing green to work!" he said.

"Twelve years ago, I didn't understand what was going on. I had my face painted in green and after the final whistle, we didn't watch the presentation - we just went out and played rugby on the lawn.

"We won that day and I hope we can do the same on Saturday."