The rugby world is licking its lips in anticipation of the crunch Pool C clash between heavyweights South Africa and England.
The tasty match up between the two powerhouses this Saturday alone is enough to have rugby fans across the globe salivating.
Huge bearing
However, the fact that its outcome is crucial in deciding the fate of both teams in the Tournament, and could determine the eventual winner of the Webb Ellis Cup, elevates it to a must see rugby event.
The winner of this Subiaco Oval encounter should go on to win the Pool and so face a quarter final against Pool D runners up, likely to be Wales or Italy, with two time finalists France the expected semi final opponent.
By contrast the loser, assuming they beat an in-form Samoa, will face a daunting quarter final where favourites New Zealand lie in wait. The winner of that game will likely lock horns with defending champions Australia.
Payback time
England, who have lost only one of their previous 17 Tests, convincingly won the last meeting between the two sides, 53-3 at Twickenham last November.
The bitter memory of the big defeat lingers long in the Springboks’ memory.
That day, as his dejected players gathered under the posts after England scored yet another try, South Africa captain Corne Krige reportedly said “Guys, never ever forget this feeling. We’ll pay them back in Perth."
Unfortunately, only two Springboks in the starting line up for Saturday night’s match will be able to recall the humiliation first hand.
Just skipper Krige, returning from a hamstring injury, and open side flanker Joe van Niekerk have survived coach Rudolf Straeuli’s extensive reshuffle that ensued from the loss, while fullback Werner Greeff is on the bench.
Settled team
In contrast 11 of England's starting line up will be lining up to prove the victory was no one off, as will three others named on the bench.
Despite that loss South Africa hold the overall edge with 12 victories to nine in their 22 previous meetings with England. There has been one drawn match.
One of these victories came at the 1999 Tournament when, helped by Jannie de Beer’s world record five drop goals, South Africa won the quarter final 44-21 to post a record equalling 10th consecutive Rugby World Cup victory.
However, there is only one survivor from that winning Springbok side in scrum half Joost van der Westhuizen, whose hat trick in their 72-6 defeat of Uruguay last weekend made him South Africa’s most prolific try scorer in RWC history with six tries.
A testament to their settled squad, England have 10 survivors from that defeat including captain Martin Johnson, number 8 Lawrence Dallaglio – who made his debut against the Springboks in 1995 – and star fly half Jonny Wilkinson, a replacement that day.
Another survivor is Jason Leonard, the veteran prop who is just four caps shy of equalling Philippe Sella’s world record 111 Tests. Leonard also needs only one more Rugby World Cup appearance to equal legendary All Black Sean Fitzpatrick's record of 17.
Johnson and co will be key for England’s much vaunted forward pack to achieve any dominance over a resurgent Springbok front eight who were in rampant mood in the 72-6 defeat of Uruguay in their opening match.
Old versus new
The match up between old warhorse Dallaglio and rising star Juan Smith at number 8 will be worth the price of admission alone.
Giant Springbok lock Victor Matfield will relish an opportunity to shape up against Johnson, the England skipper widely regarded as one of the best second rower in the world.
Out wide the battle between England’s electric try scoring machine Jason Robinson and pacy Springbok newcomer Ashwin Willemse will be intriguing.
The Springboks will need to keep a tight reign on discipline with the world class Wilkinson able to punish any indiscretions.
The fly half has his radar well tuned with seven kicks from seven against Georgia in England’s Tournament opener.
The three matches in Pool C, all of which have taken place at Perth’s Subiaco Oval, have averaged around 80 points.
It is highly unlikely such a scoreline will be in the offing in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the first clash of rugby’s super powers at RWC 2003.