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South Africa's team selection has raised a few eyebrows - there's a seven-one split of forwards to backs on the bench, while scrum-half Cobus Reinach and fly-half Manie Libbok - who started the Springboks' wins over France and England - are not involved at all in the matchday squad of 23.

Head coach Jacques Nienaber told the BBC's Rugby Union Daily podcast: "It's the understanding of the group that it's for South Africa, it's not for the individual.

"The moment after the team announcement, Manie's next role was he's got to the best Richie Mo'unga for us to prepare. He's got to study Richie Mo'unga, study his mannerisms and give us those pictures on the field for us to prepare.

"That's the beauty of this squad. I'm not sure if you will be able to do it with other teams, because you must have the right people that are willing to take on a role.

"If you're not in the starting XV, you've got a different role if you're on the bench. And if you're not in the squad of 23, you've got a different role and everybody fulfils their role."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Sam Harris
BBC Newsbeat sports reporter

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Plenty of South Africans will be watching this one in the UK, including Dylan and Ashleigh Gouws who live London.

“Rugby in South Africa is more than a sport, it’s such a massive part of who we are,” Ashleigh tells Newsbeat.

“A lot of our day to day life actually revolves around rugby, it’s so important.”

Ashleigh says being in another World Cup final is “massive” for the country.

“It brings a spark and loads of encouragement to a country that can sometimes be difficult to live in.”

Dylan agrees, but isn’t totally confident they’ll be lifting the trophy.

“New Zealand aren’t an easy ask so I’m pretty nervous,” he says.

“They had a lot easier game than we did in their semi-final too so I'm not sure how much that’s taken out of the team.

“I’m nervous but you’ve got to back South Africa all the way.

“It’s been really good following the team and seeing the mix of experience and new players come through, we love a replacement so you get to see plenty of the squad.”

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New Zealand head coach Ian Foster: "This is what World Cup finals are about. We all remember the last final between us [in 1995], which was an epic, and hopefully this one will be the same.

"Then you do the maths and we've got three World Cups each and someone is going to win four, so it's a special occasion, isn't it?"

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Vintage All Blacks? Or clutch South Africa?

Who are you backing to lift the famous trophy once again? And where do the northern hemisphere guys need to change/improve to end this winning run?

Let us know...

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Mike Henson
BBC Sport in Paris

When South Africa's team selection landed on Thursday morning, it was not the decision to rip out and replace the half-back partnership - normally a call that would have dominated discussion - that seemed brave.

Instead it was the balance of the bench. Willie Le Roux is on one end - the only back riding the pine - while the other is weighed down with seven forwards.

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In the most influential positions on the pitch, they have no specialist cover.

Faf de Klerk is the only scrum-half in the matchday squad. Handre Pollard is the only fly-half. There is no ball-carrying midfield option should Damian de Allende or Jesse Kriel go off. Even among the forwards, they are relying on a 37-year-old back-rower - Deon Fourie - dredging up hooking skills he thought he had left behind years ago to cover the number two shirt.

It was extraordinary when South Africa did similar against Ireland in the pool stage. Then it was seen as a throw-away show of strength, in a game the Springboks could afford to lose.

On the biggest stage, in the highest-stake game, in the modern destruction-derby era though, it is bold, bordering on reckless.

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To counter potential fatigue the Springboks have named a 7-1 split of forwards to backs on the bench, meaning they have 15 forwards in their matchday squad of 23.

Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok, who started at 9 and 10 against England just last week, are not involved at all.

Big calls...

South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Smith, Wiese, Le Roux.

New Zealand: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane (capt), Savea.

Replacements: Taukei'aho, Williams, Laulala, Whitelock, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.

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2003: England 20-17 Australia

2007: South Africa 15-6 England

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2011: New Zealand 8-7 France

2015: New Zealand 34-17 Australia

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2019: South Africa 32-12 England

2023: New Zealand ?-? South Africa

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The All Blacks and South Africa have won every rugby World Cup since Jonny Wilkinson's golden swing in 2003.

Two decades of duopoly will continue for another four years at least - but sporting immortality potentially awaits the winners in Paris tonight.

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Either Sam Kane or Siya Kolisi will hold the Webb Ellis Cup aloft in a few hours, marking the fourth time either of these two nations have been crowned the best in the world.

Who are you backing?