Rugby World Cup final: England 6-15 South Africa

The England players line up for the national anthem ahead of kick-off. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty/Getty

Mathew Tait puts in a hefty tackle on South Africa’s Francois Steyn. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty/Getty

Mathew Tait leads an English break through the South Africa defence. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Photograph: David Rogers/Getty/Getty

Percy Montgomery kicks a penalty for South Africa. Photograph: Michel Spingler/AP Photograph: Michel Spingler/AP/AP

England and South Africa lock horns in a scrum. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty/Getty

Jonny Wilkinson kicks a penalty to keep England in the hunt against South Africa. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters/Reuters

Mark Cueto goes over for a disallowed try that would have brought England firmly back into contention. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty/Getty

England wing Mark Cueto expresses his disbelief after having his second-half try is disallowed. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty/Getty

England captain Phil Vickery looks on with increasing concern as the minutes tick away. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Photograph: David Rogers/Getty/Getty

Agony for England and delight for the Sprinboks as the final whistle confims South Africa's victory. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Photograph: Warren Little/Getty/Getty

South Africa celebrate with the Webb Ellis trophy in the wake of their 15-6 win over England. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images/Getty

Mike Catt salutes the crowd as the England players show their dejection following their defeat. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty/Getty

A dejected Jonny Wilkinson clutches his runners-up medal as he ponders England's loss. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP/AP

The Springboks celebrate their World Cup win with South Africa president Thabo Mbeke. Photograph: Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Photograph: Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty/AFP

England head coach Brian Ashton gives a team talk following his team's loss to South Africa. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty/Getty