| Venue: Twickenham Stadium Date: Saturday, 20 November Kick-off: 15:15 GMT |
| Protection: Observe stay textual content commentary on the BBC Sport web site and app. |
When England final performed South Africa, within the Rugby World Cup closing of 2019, Freddie Steward was an 18-year-old Academy participant who had solely just lately made his Premiership debut.
“Should you’d have advised me after I was watching that recreation [the final] that the subsequent time England performed South Africa I would be concerned I would have laughed at you,” Steward advised BBC Radio 5 Dwell.
“It has been an unbelievable two years.”
After leaving out a handful of regulars for the autumn collection, England boss Eddie Jones has dripped in some new blood this month, with the likes of Steward and Marcus Smith rubbing shoulders with modern-day greats reminiscent of Owen Farrell and Itoje.
“You come into camp and also you’re in awe of these guys,” Steward stated.
“Take a look at Faz and Maro – they’ve performed unbelievable issues for England.
“There are guys I watched as a child and abruptly you are sat within the staff room chilling with them – it is extremely unusual.
“Nevertheless it’s vital to not get too caught up in that aura. I am right here to do a job and we have got to bond as a staff.”
That mixture of previous and new was evident within the early levels at Twickenham in opposition to Australia final weekend, with Farrell combining with Smith and Steward bursting into the road to attain.
“It was simply the very best second of my life,” Steward defined.
“When Marcus put me by way of that hole I used to be simply pondering ‘get to the try-line’. To recover from and be swarmed by the lads was simply an unbelievable expertise.”
And with England failing to fireside persistently with the ball over the previous 18 months, Steward says there was a “huge assault focus” over the previous few weeks because the aspect seems to re-establish itself after a chastening Six Nations.
“It is one thing we need to construct as new England, this huge, explosive assault,” he added.
“That was a bit glimpse of what there may be to supply and hopefully we see extra of that this weekend.”
‘If I get whacked I get whacked’
The Springboks are on a roll and supply a set of challenges in contrast to some other in world rugby.
Not solely is their blitz defence devilishly arduous to unpick, however there are different non-negotiables when dealing with the world champions, reminiscent of competing on the set-piece, the breakdown, and the aerial battle – the place Steward shall be beneath unprecedented scrutiny.
On that be aware, Steward’s fearlessness within the air has set him aside in his quick worldwide profession, with Jones describing his work beneath the excessive ball as “colossal”, and “top-of-the-line I’ve seen”.
“I strive not to consider something apart from the ball,” Steward defined.
“It isn’t worrying about who’s flying in, all it’s is the ball and if I get whacked I get whacked. You possibly can solely management your personal actions. It is about what you are able to do. Attempt to get as excessive as you may and dominate that house.
“It will likely be an actual problem – they [South Africa] are unbelievable at executing these contestable kicks.
“It is positively one thing to be enthusiastic about although.”