South Africa are the new world champions after defeating a spirited England side 15-6 in the World Cup final in Paris.

Percy Montgomery kicked four penalties for South Africa while Francois Steyn also added a huge three-pointer as the Springboks just about justified their billing as pre-match favourites to win the Webb Ellis trophy for the second time.

Jonny Wilkinson landed a penalty for England in each half but the talking point for the former champions will be a disallowed Mark Cueto try two minutes after the interval.

After a stunning break by centre Matthew Tait the ball was quickly recycled to Cueto and although the wing crossed in the corner the video ref adjudged his foot to have been in touch before he went over.

It was a close call but endless video replays showed that it was the right call.

While England had their fair share of possession, Cueto's effort was their only real try scoring chance and nobody can begrudge South Africa, champions in 1995, their victory.

Coach Jake White's side were the only unbeaten team going into the final - they had beaten England 36-0 in the group stages - and they were able to once again rely on their set piece and defence to see them through one last game.

England can certainly hold their heads up high, and may think that the Boks were there for the taking, but they were never on top of their lineout and never able to dominate their own throw as they had done in the quarter and semi-finals.

Once again South African locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha were in imperious form and attacked England's lineout from the first whistle, crucially denying them possession from their first two throws.

England will also be kicking themselves for the mistakes that allowed Springboks marksmen Montgomery his shots at goal.

Tait, who came of age with a superb performance in the Stade de France, was at fault for the first in the seventh minute, slipping in his own 22 metre area and then being penalised for holding on.

Five minutes later England were level when Wilkinson nailed a beauty from the touchline after Bryan Habana had failed to roll away after tackling opposite man Paul Sackey.

But within a minute the Springboks were back in the lead. Lewis Moody stupidly put out a foot to trip Butch James and Montgomery made it 6-3 from in front of the posts.

There was little between the two sides in the first half hour but every time England made headway into the oppositions' 22 metre area, they either lost their throw or the Springboks lineout was so secure they were able to clear the pressure comfortably.

South Africa finished the first half on the front foot and Steyn made a number of telling breaks in midfield.

It was from a Steyn break in the 38th minute that South Africa had their best try-scoring opportunity. After Steyn had broken through two tackles the ball was moved to the left touchline and only desperate England defence kept them out.

England were under intense pressure in the closing stages of the first half and although they managed to prevent South Africa from touching down, they conceded a penalty after a five metre scrum and Montgomery slotted the kick to give the Springboks a 9-3 lead going into the interval.

Within two minutes of the restart England thought they had scored. Tait collected a poor pass in his own half and broke clear of several Springboks tacklers, only to be hauled down metres from the try line.

The support from England was good and when Andy Gomarsall fed Cueto on the blind side the whole stadium thought he had scored, despite a last-ditch tackle from South Africa number eight Danie Rossouw.

The try was disallowed but South Africa were penalised for an earlier infringement and Wilkinson cut their lead to 9-6.

England lost Jason Robinson to an arm injury soon after and when Steyn made another break down the middle Martin Corry was caught handling in a ruck and Montgomery moved the Springboks six points clear again.

Dan Hipkiss, on for Robinson, gave England some 'go forward' in midfield and the former champions continued to take the game to South Africa.

But on the hour Steyn punished a Ben Kay block with a 50m penalty to make it 15-6 and for the first time South Africa looked like they were in sight of the trophy.

South Africa still had to ride an awkward 10-minute period when they seemed uncertain how to protect their lead.

Yet their defence held firm and although England made a number of promising forays deep into South Africa's half they were unable to get points on the board.

When it mattered most the South Africa forwards were able to retreat into a tight game, relying on their lineout and rolling maul to run down the clock to World Cup victory.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport