8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa). Few players represent the Springboks’ hard-nosed approach better than their No 8. He carried for more metres – 46 – than anyone else in his side, forwards or backs. AFP
15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand). For all England’s defensive dominance in their 19-7 win against New Zealand, nobody from either side made more metres with ball in hand than the 105 of Barrett. AFP
14. Anthony Watson (England). Given how complete their performance was over the back-to-back champions, this team could easily be peopled by 15 England players. Watson was electric with ball in hand. AFP
13. Manu Tuilagi (England). Not the one-man show of Twickenham in 2012, but the midfielder still had a huge impact, most notably with a second-minute try that gave England a lead they never surrendered. Reuters
12. Damian de Allende (South Africa). The Springboks centre does not get much ball to work with, but when he does it is often decisive. Like when he finally forced his way through the Wales defence for a second-half try. Reuters
11. Josh Adams (Wales). Some observers felt the national anthems ahead of the second semi-final were better than the fare that followed. Adams was a star of both, with the high point being his try. EPA
10. George Ford (England). It was thought the All Blacks would target him in defence. And yet he made 15 tackles. More than Maro Itoje. More than Sam Underhill. More than anyone, bar Owen Farrell. AFP
9. Ben Youngs (England). Saw a try chalked off when an England handling error at a maul was spotted by the TMO, but the scrum-half was back to somewhere near his effervescent best. Reuters
1. Mako Vunipola (England). Like his fellow prop Kyle Sinckler, Vunipola is often the first England player to receive the ball after a breakdown. His tally of 16 carries in the match was bettered only by his brother, Billy. AFP
2. Ken Owens (Wales). With Owens throwing in, Wales had immaculate lineout record of 13 from 13. No mean feat against a side of giants in the form of the Springboks. EPA
3. Kyle Sinckler (England). It is amazing how often the tight-head prop pops up in a playmaker role for England. He made more passes against New Zealand than four of his side’s backline. AFP
4. Maro Itoje (England). The defining individual performance of the tournament so far? He has a fair claim. Twelve tackles, three turnovers, seven lineouts won, and the player of the match award. AFP
5. Franco Mostert (South Africa). The replacement lock was only on for 22 minutes. That was enough time to make seven tackles, and affect the crucial lineout spoil that ultimately broke Welsh hearts. AFP
6. Ardie Savea (New Zealand). His try might have been the result of a little good fortune, from a misplaced England throw at a lineout. He had earned it. Nineteen tackles with none missed was a remarkable body of work. AFP
7. Sam Underhill (England). His hit that sent Jordie Barrett careering backwards at a rate of knots was one that will live long in the memory. It was one of many by the tireless 23-year-old flanker. AFP
8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa). Few players represent the Springboks’ hard-nosed approach better than their No 8. He carried for more metres – 46 – than anyone else in his side, forwards or backs. AFP
15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand). For all England’s defensive dominance in their 19-7 win against New Zealand, nobody from either side made more metres with ball in hand than the 105 of Barrett. AFP
14. Anthony Watson (England). Given how complete their performance was over the back-to-back champions, this team could easily be peopled by 15 England players. Watson was electric with ball in hand. AFP
13. Manu Tuilagi (England). Not the one-man show of Twickenham in 2012, but the midfielder still had a huge impact, most notably with a second-minute try that gave England a lead they never surrendered. Reuters
12. Damian de Allende (South Africa). The Springboks centre does not get much ball to work with, but when he does it is often decisive. Like when he finally forced his way through the Wales defence for a second-half try. Reuters
11. Josh Adams (Wales). Some observers felt the national anthems ahead of the second semi-final were better than the fare that followed. Adams was a star of both, with the high point being his try. EPA
10. George Ford (England). It was thought the All Blacks would target him in defence. And yet he made 15 tackles. More than Maro Itoje. More than Sam Underhill. More than anyone, bar Owen Farrell. AFP
9. Ben Youngs (England). Saw a try chalked off when an England handling error at a maul was spotted by the TMO, but the scrum-half was back to somewhere near his effervescent best. Reuters
1. Mako Vunipola (England). Like his fellow prop Kyle Sinckler, Vunipola is often the first England player to receive the ball after a breakdown. His tally of 16 carries in the match was bettered only by his brother, Billy. AFP
2. Ken Owens (Wales). With Owens throwing in, Wales had immaculate lineout record of 13 from 13. No mean feat against a side of giants in the form of the Springboks. EPA
3. Kyle Sinckler (England). It is amazing how often the tight-head prop pops up in a playmaker role for England. He made more passes against New Zealand than four of his side’s backline. AFP
4. Maro Itoje (England). The defining individual performance of the tournament so far? He has a fair claim. Twelve tackles, three turnovers, seven lineouts won, and the player of the match award. AFP
5. Franco Mostert (South Africa). The replacement lock was only on for 22 minutes. That was enough time to make seven tackles, and affect the crucial lineout spoil that ultimately broke Welsh hearts. AFP
6. Ardie Savea (New Zealand). His try might have been the result of a little good fortune, from a misplaced England throw at a lineout. He had earned it. Nineteen tackles with none missed was a remarkable body of work. AFP
7. Sam Underhill (England). His hit that sent Jordie Barrett careering backwards at a rate of knots was one that will live long in the memory. It was one of many by the tireless 23-year-old flanker. AFP
8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa). Few players represent the Springboks’ hard-nosed approach better than their No 8. He carried for more metres – 46 – than anyone else in his side, forwards or backs. AFP
