Rugby World Cup history: Bok-busting display in 2007

The World Cup returned to Europe in 2007 - and although France were the principal hosts, games were also held at Murrayfield and the Millennium Stadium.

Following on the success of the tournament in Australia, the RWC retained the four pools of five format, with all eight quarter-finalists automatically qualifying.

That meant Australia, France, New Zealand, England, Scotland, South Africa, Ireland and Wales avoided the qualifying process - with a record 86 battling it out in the regional competitions to take part.

Of those that began the long road to Paris, Georgia, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Namibia, Argentina, Canada, the USA, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Japan made it through.

However, unlike previous editions, the 2007 tournament saw the emerging nations finally take the challenge to the top tier teams.

Argentina got the tournament off to a flying start as they upset the hosts in the opening game, before blowing away Ireland to top Pool D. The Irish also struggled to overcome Georgia and Namibia, while their loss to France meant they failed to make it into the knockout stages.

Uncomfortable

Fiji joined in the party by denying Wales a place in the last eight as they registered a 38-34 victory in the deciding match in Pool B.

England, who slumped to a heavy defeat against the Springboks, did avoid an upset - but they were given more than a few uncomfortable moments against Tonga, Samoa and the USA.

Scotland also progressed but only after surviving a late onslaught from Italy to win 18-16.

South Africa, Australia and the hugely impressive New Zealand were barely troubled, though, en route to the last eight.

The All Blacks, though, were left ruing what could - and should - have been as they lost to France 20-18 in an epic clash at the Millennium Stadium.

Les Bleus had been trailing 13-3 and 18-13 before Yannick Jauzion crossed for the deciding try - although the All Blacks were left fuming as the pass to the French centre had looked decidedly forward.

Referee Wayne Barnes also received death threats from angry All Blacks fans after he sin-binned Luke McAlister.

There were further shocks in the last eight as the Pumas accounted for Scotland in Saint-Denis, while the ever-reliable boot of Jonny Wilkinson and the power of the scrum saw England overcome Australia once again at the World Cup.

Fightback

South Africa, though, managed to survived a stunning fightback from Fiji despite throwing away a 20-6 lead. Fiji managed to level the scores going into the final 20 minutes only for the Boks to pull away with late tries from Juan Smith and Butch James.

They had no such trouble in ending the charge of Argentina as they booked a place in the final - with England defying all odds to join them.

England had gone into the tournament devoid of form, while there were reports of internal strife and player rebellions. However a try in the opening minutes from Josh Lewsey set them on their way to a 14-9 victory over Les Bleus, who once again in the tournament followed up a memorable win with a lacklustre display.

Things got worse for the French as they then suffered a second defeat to Argentina in the bronze medal match.

Having been thumped by the Boks in the pool, few gave England much of a hope going into the final at the Stade de France - however Brian Ashton's side rose to the challenge.

An enthralling encounter saw the boot of Percy Montgomery give South Africa a 9-3 advantage at the break but England came close to snatching the lead two minutes into the second half.

Mark Cueto thought he had scored in the corner, but with referee Alain Rolland referring the decision to the TMO Stuart Dickinson, the England winger was deemed to have had his foot in touch.

Wilkinson's second penalty cut the deficit but that was the last score for England as Montgomery and Frans Steyn landed a penalty each.

England continued to attack but despite the odd moment - including one break from Mathew Tait - they could find no way through the South Africa defence.

The win meant South Africa have won two World Cup finals without scoring a try.