The fun and games began hours before Steve Borthwick announced his team would face the Springboks.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said: ‘Freddie Steward will play at full-back… of course.’
His prediction was correct, and as it turned out, there was a prank involved.
A hideaway at the back, Steward has barely featured for England this year, with soft-skilled and ball-handling George Furbank taking the number 15 shirt.
This was the most symbolic change in Borthwick’s efforts to revolutionize his attack, and Erasmus implied that it was the decision of a man under pressure.
Erasmus, who is hoping to inflict a fifth successive defeat on England, added: “When you lose two games, the pressure starts to mount, whether it be through points or last-minute tries.”
Rassie Erasmus was quick to start playing mind games at his team presentation conference.
The team led by coach Steve Borthwick came into the game looking to avoid a fifth consecutive loss to South Africa.
Freddie Steward returns at fullback. It was a move that Erasmus predicted would put his opposition numbers under pressure.
‘I’ve been there and I certainly know how quickly it can get to you. Then it’s usually back to what works for you. I think they’ve had that kind of success in the past, so I have high expectations that they’ll try to squeeze us with their kick game.
‘We were on that side. Two or three years ago, there were almost four in Trot. It depends on the people in the room, the management, and depending on the CEO, they may feel like you’ve been shot in the head.
‘It’s not good to put pressure on coaches and they tend to make emotional decisions. I think Steve is too smart for that. Sometimes I try to please them, but I don’t think Steve is that kind of person. I hope the environment around him is one where he can believe in what he’s doing.’
Steward’s selection was one of four changes to England’s starting XV. At scrum-half, Jack van Poortvliet was selected ahead of Ben Spencer, while flanker Sam Underhill and winger Ollie Sleighthome replaced the injured Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Borthwick’s rationale for the change was simple. South Africa kick the ball more than any other team in the world. World Rugby’s crackdown on defensive escorts has turned the aerial battlefield into the Wild West, and the Steward is the game’s best HE bomb spreader.
The England manager said: “Freddie’s attitude has been great and the team that kicks more competitively than anyone in the world is South Africa.” ‘Everything shows that they are better than anyone else in terms of the number of kicks they can contest.
‘Fred obviously has a lot of power there so that’s a factor. That will certainly be a key part of the game against South Africa as they have kicked something like that a few times. I think that’s just the way the game is going right now. According to his law, the more kicks, the more controversial the kicks. I think the Furbs have performed really well in these first two games. He had a few bangs last weekend and felt it was time for a change.’
Pressure was not the word that came out of Borthwick’s mouth once when previewing the team’s upcoming match against the world champions. England’s narrow loss to the Springboks in the World Cup semi-final was a blueprint and Borthwick is confident his side are on the right track despite the narrow loss.
Borthwick hopes Steward can break up the constant aerial bombardment the Springboks often employ.
Steward, replacing George Furbank (pictured), is one of four changes made by Borthwick.
‘This squad is really determined to play against South Africa,’ said Borthwick. ‘In that semi-final – and we’ve talked about this – there was a possibility that we wouldn’t have a very competitive game. ‘What we’ve developed and have definitely improved on is being able to take opportunities when we have them and continue to do so and actually create more opportunities.’
When asked about the team’s fall results, he added: ‘I stood up in front of the team earlier this week and said there were a few little things to do. The ball moves in the opposite direction 6 inches. We’ve seen a couple of different results confirm what everyone is saying this team is having a very good fall. But we didn’t. The ball didn’t go our way. The language outside is a different language.
‘Focusing and discriminating well are one of my strengths. ‘My job is to coach this team, I love coaching this team, I’m loyal to this group of players, and we’ve got to do a better job than what we’ve got.’
Despite the stark atmosphere, Erasmus had already discovered the winning formula. Even his prediction in the press conference felt like a small victory, but as both coaches know, the only thing that matters this week is Saturday’s result.
