That is the verdict of match-winning kicker Matt Dawson, as he and his team-mates basked in the afterglow of one of England's most historic triumphs at Twickenham.

But on a day of contrasting fortunes for scrum-halves, it emerged that Dawson's opposite number, Joost van der Westhuizen, will be out of action for three months after injuring his knee in the hard-hitting contest.

Dawson believes his side's shock success over a Springbok team who were aiming to set a new world record of 18 successive Test wins, will have major repercussions for the 1999 World Cup.

Indeed, he says the result shows how open the tournament is - and how wrong the big three of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand would be to write off the challenge of the European nations.

"If the southern hemisphere teams are honest, realising that next year's World Cup is being played in the northern hemisphere, they will be sitting up and taking notice of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland," Dawson said.

Van der Westhuizen went off injured in his 50th Test

"All four teams played well against South Africa - we were the ones fortunate enough to beat them, but Wales were desperately unlucky.

"If you add France to the equation, then it is going to be a healthy World Cup with possibly five or six teams capable of winning it, which I don't think has been the case in previous World Cup tournaments.

"Because we've had such little exposure to the big southern hemisphere teams until the last few years, we were perhaps a little bit afraid to get out there and take them on.

"But over the past 18 months, other countries have realised they can take the southern hemisphere sides on, and I think we are going to see some fantastic matches in next year's World Cup if teams are willing to play good rugby and put an emphasis on scoring tries."

Joost his bad luck

The inspirational Van der Westhuizen will miss the next three months after damaging ligaments in his right knee.

He was forced off in the second half of 50th international match.

The South African season is now at an end, but the injury is likely to hinder his preparations in the build-up to the World Cup.

England also suffered casualties, particularly in an already-depleted back division, during the barn-storming showdown.

Centre Phil de Glanville dislocated his right shoulder and is unlikely to play again until early January.