Steward will need a flying start if brutal Boks are to be demolished

WHEN South Africa hoist the ball high into the Paris night in tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final, time will almost stand still for Freddie Steward.

- Nick Purewal Rugby

The England full-back will launch himself off the ground in pursuit of the ball — and suddenly everything will slow to a crawl.

Steward describes his process of claiming high balls as one where as soon as he leaves the ground, events move in slow motion.

The Red Rose No15 will rise and aim to make a clean claim, and the moment his feet return to dry land, the game will whizz back up to full speed.

The ability to manipulate time and space in Test rugby’s fast lane has carried Steward to the summit of the game.

The 22-year-old is arguably the world’s finest high-ball exponent, in both defence and attack, and England will be all the richer for having him in their starting line-up at the Stade de France.

Marcus Smith thrilled at full-back in England’s 30-24 quarter-final win over Fiji, but will miss the last-four battle with the Boks due to concussion protocols.

The Harlequins playmaker copped a whack to the face against the Fijians, and while he passed head checks during the match, has since failed elements of the recovery process.