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Class of `95 inspires Smit`s men

All geared up: John Smit

South Africa will head into Saturday's World Cup Final against England inspired by words of encouragement from the country's tournament winners of 1995.

The Springboks who will run out at the Stade de France on Saturday night were handed their match jerseys Friday by the stars of their memorable victory over New Zealand in Johannesburg 12 years ago.

John Smit, the captain of the current Springboks side, admitted it was a "pretty special event" to be received by the likes of Francois Pienaar and Joel Stransky, the captain and match-winner respectively from 1995.

"We had the jumpers given to us by a number of the guys who laid the foundations for World Cup success in South Africa in 1995," said Smit.

"Morné du Plessis [the South Africa manager in 1995] was the guy who spoke first. Then Francois Pienaar spoke and alongside him were Joel Stransky, Balie Swart, James Small and Chris Rossouw.

"It was exactly the same format as the other jersey presentations, where the team sits in our team room, and whoever's presenting the jerseys stands in the front and gives a couple of words.

"But this one was a little more special than others and pretty personal."

Smit's men are favourites to repeat the exploits of the class of '95.

They look to have the power in the pack to at least match England up front, and they possess more cutting edge and match-winners out wide than the holders.

England have got this far by perspiration more than inspiration, and Smit does not want his team to be caught up in what is expected to be a negative England game-plan.

"I think it certainly is a clash of styles, and I think both have their benefits in terms of it really doesn't matter how many tries you score.

"We've tried to give as much analysis as possible to the type of games that England have played against their opposition.

"I think they [England] have fallen a little bit into their trap of not playing rugby, and it really is up to us to make sure we are clinical and use the ball as effectively as we have done in the last couple of weeks."

Smit is now just desperate to get out on the field after a tortuous build-up this week.

"All seven weeks have been geared towards this one evening of rugby so the talking, I think, is done," said the hooker.

"Now it's just time for playing."