More late night drama for England, but nothing this time to interest the police. Their Under-20s IRB World Junior Championship semi-final against South Africa in Cardiff kicked off at 9.30pm on Wednesday because a previous match went into extra-time and both sides had to warm up in the changing room area.
Mistakes abounded initially with the wrecked pre-match routines combining with pelting rain. But England, who had defeated Australia four days earlier, took a firm grip from the outset and were full value for their 26-18 victory to take them into Sunday's final against New Zealand in Swansea. England were more than a stone a man heavier at forward and they butchered the South African scrum. They were aggressive again at the breakdown, strongly led by Wasps' No8 Hugo Ellis, who played for Wales at Under-16 level, and they had controlling half-backs in Joe Simpson and Alex Goode. The England senior side's defeat to New Zealand in Auckland last Saturday raised questions about the physical conditioning of players in the Guinness Premiership, but at Under-20 level the men in white have out-muscled and outsmarted Australia and South Africa. New Zealand will be a step up again, but a side that started the tournament ranked sixth in the world is buoyed by momentum.

England opted to play against the wind in the first half and led 10-3 at the end of the first quarter, thanks to Simpson's opportunist try, but they gifted South Africa two tries in as many minutes and were level at the break 15-15. However, they used the wind in the second period to exert total control and sealed the victory with a late try from the London Irish prop Alex Corbisiero.
The Under-20s have played nine matches this year and won them all, but their head coach Nigel Redman acknowledges the ultimate test is to come. New Zealand have conceded just one try this tournament and shut out Wales 31-6 in Wednesday's first semi-final at Rodney Parade. "We have made history because this is the first time England have made a world final at age-group level," said Redman. "To put in a dominating performance against South Africa four days after beating Australia said everything about the quality and the character of the players. What is most impressive about the team is their ability to play in a variety of styles: we used an off-loading game in the Six Nations and against Australia kept it tight. The players make decisions based on what is in front of them and their conditioning is a tribute to their clubs." Ellis admitted that the late start had contributed to a nervy opening. "Neither side was able to do its normal warm-up routine and it showed," he said. "Once we settled, we played some excellent rugby and to physically dominate a South African pack proved what we are about. We know what lies ahead of us: New Zealand is a country with a fantastic rugby culture and they have long been the favourites for this tournament, but we are on a roll, playing the game as we want to, and we will go into Sunday with confidence." The South Africa head coach Eric Sauls, who was in charge when the Baby Boks reached last year's Under-19 final against New Zealand, paid tribute to England. "I did not expect them to be so physical," he said. "They will give New Zealand a game and, if the conditions are wet, I would not like to call the winner. They put us under pressure in the scrums and we struggled to get quality ball. When you are under such pressure in the forwards, it is difficult to impose yourself, but we were dangerous with the ball in hand." The question for England is how many of their squad will go on to contest for a place in the senior 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. The wings Miles Benjamin and Noah Cato are both a handful, Jordan Turner-Hall brings power to the midfield, Simpson is growing in stature every game, while the front and back rows play with an enforcing mentality. Simpson was named man of the match on Wednesday, just seeing off the challenge of the loose-head prop Nathan Catt, who not only caused South Africa's two tight-head props grief but who was rampant in the loose, forcing a number of turnovers. "Nathan is one of the best players I have ever appeared with," said Simpson. "I have no doubt that he will go on to play for England. We have come a long way from a year ago when we did not make an impact on the Under-19 tournament: we are a more complete team now and I cannot wait to take on New Zealand."