Freddie Steward Set for England Return Against South Africa

Freddie Steward is poised to rejoin England’s starting lineup for their match against the reigning world champions, South Africa. The Autumn Nations Series fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 16 November, with kick-off at 17:40 GMT at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Coverage will be available via live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, alongside live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. England’s full-back, Freddie Steward, expressed his enthusiasm for his return to the squad to face South Africa, stating that new regulations designed to foster more contestable kicks “are brilliant for the game.” Steward’s proficiency in aerial play is considered crucial for England’s prospects of ending their current four-game losing streak in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series encounter with the double world champions at Allianz Stadium. The 23-year-old had been England’s primary choice at number 15 earlier in the year but lost his position during the Six Nations to George Furbank, who subsequently started in England’s autumn defeats against New Zealand and Australia. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with,” Steward disclosed to BBC Radio 5 Live. “When you have something for a while and then you lose it, it puts into perspective how important that thing is to you. “Not having that over the last couple months has been really challenging.” He continued, “Emotionally it has been tough, but I’ve had to use that as fuel to keep pushing and wanting to get better and win that place back.”It can be a kick in the teeth but you have to use those experiences, and I’m sat here now as a better rugby player and a stronger person.” The home side will depend on the 6ft 5in Leicester Tiger to dominate the aerial contests in both defence and attack as they aim to avenge their World Cup semi-final loss to the Springboks last year. England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, has voiced criticism regarding World Rugby’s introduction of new rules this autumn, which target ‘escort’ runners. However, Steward, whose aerial capabilities were described as “devastating” by South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus, has welcomed these modifications. “It has brought back aerial one-on-one contests to be extra excited about,” Steward commented. “It is brilliant for the game and it is ‘me versus you’ in the air.” Regarding their opponents, Steward added, “South Africa are a fantastic team. They are very multi-faceted, they have strength in the front eight and ability in the air and out wide. “They are very well managed and it will be a challenge for us, but not one we are going to shy away from. “We pushed them close that day [in Paris]. It was a very emotional day and it will have been in the lads’ minds this week.”But that is parked now and we have an opportunity on Saturday to put out a performance like that and try and get over the line at the end.”