Saracens were on the brink of a second defeat in three Premiership games but they battled back to defeat London Irish.
South Africa were crowned world champions on Saturday, but their coach said he was ready to walk away as recently as last September.
England went from producing one of their best Rugby World Cup displays to one of their worst and coach Eddie Jones conceded a possible link.
"Rugby should be something that creates hope," said Rassie Erasmus, whose side embraced the privilege of inspiring South Africa's people.
He might have played internationally for England, but Kevin Pietersen was among those to laud South Africa's Rugby World Cup final victory.
Siya Kolisi, in his 50th match became the first black Springbok captain to lift the Web Ellis trophy. Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi, two black players,...
Siya Kolisi lifting the Rugby World Cup as South Africa's first black captain means everything to his country, says Handre Pollard.
Sam Underhill and Tom Curry had been in dominant form for England at the World Cup and Duane Vermeulen knew they had to be stopped.
England fly-half George Ford said it was a "hard one to take" after his side suffered a 32-12 defeat to South Africa in the RWC final.
Eddie Jones felt England were never really able to get into the game as "magnificent" South Africa dominated the World Cup final.