England vs South Africa, Rugby World Cup 2019 final: Will there be a victory parade if England win
Should England emerge victorious from today’s final, they’ll be treated to a victory parade in central London. Here, we take you through the details
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Your support makes all the difference.England can claim a second Rugby World Cup title when they take on South Africa in today’s final in Yokohama.
Whereas the Springboks are chasing a third world title, having previously won the tournament in 1995 and 2007, the English are looking to add to their 2003 success as the only northern hemisphere country to have ever lifted the Webb Ellis Cup.
Eddie Jones’ side head into the encounter as marginal favourites, having delivered what has been described as one of the all-time great World Cup performances to beat reigning champions New Zealand 19-7 in the semi-finals.
South Africa in contrast, came through a gritty arm wrestle with Wales, winning 19-16, to book their place in the last two.
Should England emerge victorious from today’s final, they’ll be treated to a victory parade in central London. Here, we take you through the details:
A victory parade, you say?
Indeed. Talks between the RFU and the mayor of London’s office have been held ahead of Saturday’s final. It’s understood that Sadiq Khan is supportive of the plan that would see Jones’ men ride an open top through the capital before ending up in Trafalgar square.
A source close to the mayor told The Times: “We have held preliminary discussions with the RFU — they are seriously considering having an event if England do win the Rugby World Cup and that is something the mayor would strongly support.”
When would it be?
Tuesday 5 November has been pencilled in as the most likely date for the event.
Haven’t we seen something like this before?
We sure have! In 2003, the World Cup victors were paraded through London. The squad, captained by Martin Johnson at the time, started at Marble Arch before making their way to Trafalgar Square via Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus. Roughly 750,000 fans turned out that day to soak up the celebrations.
Is there anything else in store for England (should they win)?
Funny you should ask. Jones’ men are set to be given MBEs or OBEs if they beat the Springboks in Yokohama. Similar plans are in place to reward England’s World Cup-winning cricketers too.
Jones, meanwhile, is also eligible for honours as a Commonwealth citizen and could follow Sir Clive Woodward, who engineered the 2003 victor, in being knighted. What a sight that would be.
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