Rugby World Cup final splits family loyalties in UAE

South Africa will take on England in a titanic clash on Saturday

Rival couple Sarah and James Greenwood debate which team jersey their two-year-old son Sebastian should wear. Antonie Robertson / The National

Rugby fans in the UAE are preparing to cheer their team to victory this weekend as the clock counts down to the World Cup final.

Families, friends and pundits across the country agreed the clash between England and South Africa is guaranteed to set pulses racing.

But some supporters said the match had split their households right down the middle, with husbands supporting the Springboks and wives backing the English.

Kick-off is at 1pm UAE time on Saturday.

The South Africans last won the Webb Ellis Cup in 2007, while England triumphed in 2003.

“The banter is already in full swing,” said Chloe Lambert, 28, from the UK, who is married to Ben, 35, a South African.

“I’ve been getting messages from [his family] saying the queen will be wearing a Springboks jersey come Saturday.

“We don’t have kids yet but we have an agreement in place – if we have a boy he’ll wear the Springboks jersey and if we have a girl she’ll be sporting the English rose.”

Saturday’s game will mark the end of a mesmerising six-week contest hosted by Japan.

England’s spectacular win over New Zealand last weekend make them the overwhelming favourites to win the final.

Since the Rugby World Cup began in 1987, England have only secured one title compared to the Springboks’ two.

South Africa’s 1995 final victory against a stunned New Zealand has been much celebrated. The image of president Nelson Mandela handing over the cup to team captain Francois Pienaar brought tears to thousands.

As he walked off the pitch, the whole stadium chanted the politician’s name, sparking a significant moment of unity in a country once divided by apartheid.

“Ben is unbearable to watch rugby with … he lives for the game so if they lose it will be bad news,” said Chloe, a teacher.

“I’ll be the only one cheering on England [in our group of friends] so it’ll be interesting if nothing else.”

Her husband said the 80-minute contest would be packed with emotion, not least because it would be the first time a black captain – Siya Kolisi – would lead the team in a World Cup final.

“He will be wearing the same number Nelson Mandela wore during South Africa’s 1995 win. It will be symbolic,” Ben said.

"Now they're up against England, Chloe's turned on me and is singing all the team songs – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, you name it."

Sarah Greenwood, 38, from Britain, said she was also hoping to score bragging rights over her husband James, a proud South African.

But she revealed the Greenwood household was in a quandary over their two-year-old son, Sebastian.

“Sebastian is half English half South African, so we have agreed to swap his shirt at half time so he gets to wear both,” said Sarah, an HR manager.

“Now we’re debating which shirt he should wear first. It’s quite a comical, especially considering he has no idea what is going on.

“If England play like they did against New Zealand, I don’t think South Africa will have a chance.”

But husband James, 35, countered: “Growing up in South Africa, as you learn to walk you pretty much have a rugby ball in your hand.

“Because of our political history, there is always a lot of emotion behind every game. Anyone who isn’t English will probably be supporting our Springboks squad on the day.

“That is always a pretty cool moment to witness.

“My wife thinks of herself as a bit of a rugby pundit, but South African quality will come through on the day.”