And then there were two. England and South Africa. The Sweet Charioteers face up to The Springboks.

It’s the final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

South Africa have the great Nelson Mandela looking down from above, urging them on. England have Boris Johnson.

How lucky can one country be?

My Good Self is torn between two lovers. On the one hand, I have many dear friends Across The Water. On the other foot, Mandela was my all time hero. My head says England will win. My heart lies with Mandela. I have laid the two jerseys on the floor in front of me. White and green. Which to choose?

I am going with the white. It’s me and Boris, shoulder to shoulder.

Today, I am of England.

Joining me to view The Big Match is none other than the all time leading try scorer for The Home Country, Brian O’Driscoll. We had a brief catch up about old battles that we fought together in the Six Nations, and also our times on tour with The Lions, before settling down to oversee events in Yokohama.

The analysts do the pre match waffle. They are leaning cautiously towards The Sweet Charioteers.

Kick off and it’s The Springboks who are first off the mark with a penalty. England not the same team as last Saturday, but they still equalise. South Africa hit back and retake the lead, 6-3. Again England get level. Again The Springboks edge ahead and then go further away. England in trouble. Half time South Africa 12 England 6.

Second half and The Boks pull further away. There looks to be only one winner now. England not dead yet. They have a good scrum , get a penalty, just miss another. They’re back in it. An exchange of penalties. 18-12. 20 minutes remaining. Will either side get a try? Yes. And it goes to South Africa. England need a miracle. Instead they concede another try. It’s a hammering. Final score South Africa 32 England 12.

The Springboks are deserved champions.

Boris is distraught. Mandela is smiling.

My Good Self needs a new drug.

The opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics is a mere 265 days away.

But hey, who’s counting?