By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2024-11-15 17:08:09 | Updated at 2024-11-15 19:29:13
2 hours ago
Autumn Nations Series: England v South Africa
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, 16 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT
Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
England full-back Freddie Steward is relishing his return to the side against South Africa and says new laws intended to create more contestable kicks "are brilliant for the game".
Steward's aerial prowess is thought to be key if England are to end their four-game losing run in Saturday's Autumn Nations Series meeting with the double world champions at Allianz Stadium.
The 23-year-old was England's first-choice number 15 at the start of the year before losing his place during the Six Nations to George Furbank, who started both England's autumn defeats by New Zealand and Australia.
"It was one of the hardest things I've had to deal with," Steward told 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.
"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 hosts will be relying on the 6ft 5in Steward to command the sky in defence and attack as they look to avenge last year's World Cup semi-final defeat by the Springboks.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has criticised World Rugby's introduction of new laws to crack down on 'escort' runners this autumn, but Leicester Tigers' Steward has welcomed the change.
"It has brought back aerial one-on-one contests to be extra excited about," said Steward.
"It is brilliant for the game and it is 'me versus you' in the air.
"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."
