Former South Africa stand-off Joel Stransky has said that Greece should focus on Sevens rugby if it wants to build a firm base for the game.

Speaking to Barney Spender on Athens International Radio on the eve of the Rugby World Cup final between reigning champions England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Paries, Stransky said that it was important for young rugby nations like Greece to attract quality coaches and encourage youngsters to play.

Stransky was a key member of the South Africa team that won the World Cup in 1995, kicking the winning drop goal in a 15-12 extra-time win over New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

BS: The final is just over 24 hours away. Now that you are a spectator, how does the build-up and the nerves compare with what you went through as a player before the final 12 years ago?

JS: I have been quite lucky because I have spent a bit of time with the Springboks and earlier today I was at the presentation of the jerseys. The mood is very good. They are very well organised, very well prepared and confident. They have been building up to this for four years now and they are very relaxed. The key is to remain relaxed and not let the nerves and tension get to you.

BS: You scored the drop goal at Ellis Park that day in 1995 and of course England's Johnny Wilkinson dropped a goal to beat Australia four years ago. Do you think it will be as tight as that tomorrow?

JS: I hope not but it may well be. England have been perfecting playing a tight game. They shut you down, stop you playing, kick their goals and try to hang in there until right at the end for Jonny to slip over a drop goal. I hope it won't be like that. I think the South African forwards will hold the English pack and the backs have the edge and hopefully we'll score a couple of tries.

BS: When the two sides met earlier in the competition South Africa won 36-0. Can you see a repetition of that?

JS: No, that game seems a lifetime ago, England are a very different team now. They have worked out how to play to a style that suits them. If South Africa have the notion that they will put up a score like that, they might find themselves in trouble.

BS: Do you think, no matter what happens in the final, that this has been a good World Cup?

JS: It has been better than good. It has been fantastic. The French public has supported teams throughout, it has been passionate, the stadiums full and there has been some very good rugby. We have especially seen the minnow nations come forward and cause some upsets. Some have come close to beating big sides and we have also seen one or two knocking out big sides. There has been good rugby, plenty of tries and tension - everything you could want.

BS: There is talk of cutting the number of teams at the next World Cup in New Zealand from 20 to 16...are you in favour of that?

JS: I was in favour before the World Cup. When the IRB (International Rugby Board) mentioned their plans I thought it had a lot of sense. The reason was that no one likes to see a smaller team getting hammered by a bigger team but there has been very little of that this time. There have been a number of fine performances by smaller teams inspired just by being at the World Cup. I now think we should give them the funding and the resources to become competitive and leave them in the World Cup. The more they can compete the better equipped they will be to perform at a higher level.

BS: There is a small but dedicated band of rugby players in Greece, playing a club championship and striving to push Greece up the international rankings - what advice do you have for these guys?

JS: For a start you need to get money off the IRB, get some top coaches over. The level of coaching needs to be of the highest order. And then make sure you target the right age group. Rugby players need to start at a youngish age. Get the kids started with touch rugby and maybe work on 7s. It is a very good platform for the national team to grow and then they can move on to 15s.

BS: Joel, you have done a bit of coaching. Fancy popping over to Greece for a bit?

JS: Ach, no, no, no man. No, no, I've got a real job. But I hear the Greek islands are beautiful so maybe I will get over for a holiday.