Rugby rivalry is threatening to split an Oxford family today - and rifts are building across the county.

The Headington household of city councillor Caroline van Zyl and her South African husband Heine has been tense all week in the build-up to the rugby World Cup Final when the two nations collide.

But instead of settling down in front of the television at home, the couple and their three children will be glued to a giant screen in a sports bar somewhere in the Dutch city of Amsterdam.

And although loyalties will be divided during the match, the family will reunite ahead of another big sporting day on Sunday.

Heine, originally from East London, is taking part in the Amsterdam Marathon and hopes to complete the course in under two hours 40 minutes.

Two of the couple's three children, Corinne, 14, and Imogen, 12, are also competing in the 5km race, with eldest daughter Lizzie, 15, cheering them on.

Heine, 47, a chemistry teacher at Cokethorpe School in Witney, said: "I've always supported the Springboks, so I will be rooting for them. Caroline and I are used to the odd argument - but I think South Africa will probably win. They are the favourites, but they have not really been tested yet and England have the advantage up front.

"And if England win, I will have the marathon on Sunday to forget about it all."

Caroline, 38, a solicitor and Liberal Democrat councillor, said: "I'll be rooting for England. We were all slightly embarrassed in the pool match (when South Africa beat England 36-0), but tonight's match will be a totally different proposition."

Meanwhile, the rivalry is strictly tongue-in-cheek for South African-born Oxford hotelier, Stefan Wynn-Jones and his English pal, Leslie Stump.

After a week of banter and tense expectation, they will be sitting down to watch the final - but insist they will still be friends whatever the result.

Mr Wynn-Jones, 42, has owned the Tilbury Lodge Boutique Guest House in Tilbury Lane for the last eight years, with his wife Melanie.

He said: "The banter this week among our friends, guests and businessmen I know has been intense. My prediction is an 18-6 win to us, with Jonny Wilkinson watching injured from the bench!"