Freddie Steward’s inclusion in the England squad could bolster both their defensive and offensive capabilities. As Steve Borthwick’s team prepares for a crucial match against the formidable South African side at Twickenham on Saturday, the kicking game is set to play a central role. South Africa has indicated they are ready for a kicking battle, and it’s now up to England to rise to the occasion. While this style of play may not be the most visually appealing, the stakes are high, especially when recalling last year’s World Cup semi-final. The decision to select Freddie Steward makes sense; Borthwick believes that having a player who stands 6ft 5in tall and excels in aerial contests gives England a competitive edge against South Africa. Additionally, World Rugby’s recent clampdown on escorting has led to an increase in contestable kicks, which is influencing the dynamics of the autumn Tests. It seems that England might be using this change in the rules to justify their kicking-heavy strategy. Historically, England has relied heavily on kicking, averaging 40 kicks per game during the 2023 Six Nations—the highest of any team. Earlier this year, they averaged 30 kicks, similar to their performance in New Zealand over the summer. This consistent emphasis on kicking suggests that the current directive encouraging such tactics aligns well with their playing style. However, there appears to be a sense of disappointment within the team regarding this approach, likely due to the understanding that it may not be well-received by fans and critics alike. As the match approaches, the focus will be on how effectively England can utilize their kicking game while also ensuring they make the most of their possession.

Tommy Freeman has expressed confidence that England will confront the formidable South African team head-on in their upcoming match. The England winger emphasized that despite the Springboks' status as back-to-back world champions, they are still "only human" and not invincible. As England prepares to face South Africa at Twickenham, they are coming off a challenging period, having suffered four consecutive defeats and winning only one of their last seven matches against top-tier teams. Their recent loss to Australia has seen them drop to seventh in the world rankings, while South Africa has reclaimed the top spot following a convincing victory over Scotland. Freeman is determined that England will not shy away from the challenge and is ready to take the fight to the Springboks this Saturday.

Jamie George did not hold back in his criticism of England's performance following their dramatic defeat to Australia, labeling the team's defensive display as "unforgivable." In a match where England conceded five tries and a staggering 42 points, they set a record for the most points allowed in a home game against Australia, marking the highest total conceded in any Test against the Wallabies in nearly two decades. The loss was particularly disappointing for England, as it was a game they were expected to win. George expressed his frustration, stating, "There are going to be some clips that are hard to watch back," emphasizing the need for the team to be more physical and improve their tackling efforts. The defeat has raised serious questions about the team's defensive strategies and overall performance.

**England Should Focus on Dominating Matches Rather Than Just Closing Them Out** Steve Borthwick’s squad needs to shift their approach and mindset to break free from their frustrating pattern of narrow defeats. Throughout the year, England has found themselves in tightly contested matches, and last weekend was no exception. They consistently engage in battles that remain undecided until the final moments, which has become a hallmark of their play. In their eight encounters with tier one nations, the total points difference is just 27. Their most significant loss was to Scotland, where they fell short by nine points, while the rest of the matches were decided by a single score or less. This trend suggests that England has adopted a particular mentality this year, but the results indicate they struggle to clinch these close contests. With a record of three wins and five losses, it raises the question: should England focus on improving their ability to win tight matches, or should they seek a different strategy altogether? In my view, they should opt for the latter. Instead of relying on narrow margins, England should aim to dominate their opponents and run them off the pitch. By adopting a more aggressive and expansive style of play, they can create more scoring opportunities and reduce the pressure of close finishes. This shift in mindset could be the key to transforming their fortunes on the field.

England captain Jamie George expressed disappointment over his team's missed opportunity to secure a victory against the All Blacks, but he emphasized the importance of learning from the experience. Following a dramatic loss at Twickenham, George defended fly-half George Ford, who faced criticism after missing a late penalty and drop-goal attempts. George stated, "He hasn’t missed many in his career, so we certainly can’t blame him for that." Both George and head coach Steve Borthwick are confident that Ford will bounce back from this setback. They believe that the team will regroup and come back stronger in their upcoming match against Australia next week.