Rassie Erasmus expects World Cup final to be a grind

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus predicts a grind in the World Cup final against England to be played in Tokyo on Saturday.

The Springboks managed to sneak into the final following a 16-19 hard-fought win over Wales that was decided by a Handre Pollard penalty goal at the end and Erasmus is not expecting anything different in the final of the showpiece event.

Meanwhile, England have been undefeated in the tournament until now and went on to defeat the All Blacks 19-7 in their semi-final and will be eyeing to win their second World Cup title after they previously emerged champions in the 2003 edition.

"We have given ourselves a chance. We have played England four times in the last 18 months... and we are accustomed to how they play," Erasmus said.

"They're a lot better than the last time we played them, especially with the way they dismantled New Zealand.

"We think we are in with a chance. I'm not 100 per cent sure the Rugby World Cup final will be won by an expansive game plan with wonderful tries.

"It might be, I might be wrong. I think we will go and grind it out."

Since the last year, both England and South Africa have faced each other four times with both the teams winning two games apiece.

Saturday's game will also be the second time the two sides will lock horns with each other in a World Cup final after South Africa defeated England 15-6 in the 2007 edition in France under head coach Jake White.