By Zinzan Brooke All Blacks legend

A few weeks ago you would never have expected England to be contesting the World Cup final.

I have been critical of them in the past and there is no way I thought they would get through. They have been bad for quite a while.

In Andrew Sheridan, England possibly have the player of the tournament

But they are in the final and you have to give these guys credit. People doubted them and they have responded.

I always thought the Springboks would be too strong for Argentina in the semis but France losing to England was a surprise.

The French did a number on New Zealand in the quarter-finals and I believed the wind was in their sails.

But they just stopped playing and got engaged in a similar game to the English. I just cannot understand a French side kicking drop-goals from 55m out. It was crazy.

England were effective. They scrummaged the French into the ground, tackled all night and made the least mistakes.

England may have done well so far but this is their Mount Everest, and they are only at base camp.

In the final they have to minimise their mistakes and maximise their territory and possession. If they can do that and claim victory, it will be one of the biggest turnarounds in sporting history.

South Africa did beat England 36-0 in the pool round but this is different, it's a World Cup final. It's a level playing field and there is no way they will win by the same margin again.

The key for England on Saturday is to try to stay in the match and almost treat it as a 60-minute game.

If they are in there at the hour mark then they have a chance. They can then grind it down and all the pressure will be on South Africa.

Catt's kicking game will be a key part of England's game plan

Jonny Wilkinson has given the team confidence and direction and the way in which he eased that drop-goal over against France makes me think that it might be like 2003 all over again.

The England fly-half is helped by having Mike Catt outside him, it's a good combination.

Catt is on his last legs but he has a good kicking game and reads the play well. He is the cement in that backline and his presence takes the pressure off Wilkinson.

England need to squeeze the life out of South Africa. If they can do that to scrum-half Fourie du Preez then that will transfer to the rest of the team.

Du Preez is the crucial guy and there is massive pressure on the Springbok forwards to give him quality ball.

South Africa will try to turn England around and force them into making decisions. If they can get a platform it will be crucial as they have more firepower in the backs, which include a certain Bryan Habana.

Habana is a threat because he can create something out of nothing. It was a fantastic try against Argentina when he chipped over the top and managed to finish it off but South Africa have to get the ball to him.

The English front row will be thinking that they have a chance. The Argentine scrum gave the Springboks something to think about last weekend.

In Andrew Sheridan, England possibly have the player of the tournament - he has paved the way. He is strong and is very effective with the ball in hand.

Montgomery has enjoyed a superb tournament - so far

Percy Montgomery has been amazing with his place kicking, there have been no complaints from him about the balls.

If I were England, I would just bomb him for the first 20 minutes. No-one has rattled his cage yet and he doesn't like it. If England can get to him it might just affect his kicking.

South Africa's midfield is another area where England could apply pressure.

Francois Steyn is a quality player and is someone who will be around for a long time but I do not think his combination with Jaque Fourie is a good one.

Steyn is an individual and a bit of his magic could change the final if it is tight, but he has to make sure he picks the right time to have a go. Sometimes it is best for the team just to consolidate.

My only question mark for England is mentally. Maybe the fact that they are surprised to be in the final could play on their minds.

This is where the senior guys have to make sure that the team go in with a positive attitude.

It doesn't matter if they win ugly or they win pretty, they just have to win.