England flyer: Boks aren't unbeatable

11/12/2024 03:33 AM

Winger Tommy Freeman has boldly declared that the Springboks are “only human” ahead of Saturday’s clash between the world champions and England at Twickenham.

The English, who have slipped to seventh in the world rankings after four straight defeats against tier-one opposition, will enter the match as clear underdogs against a Bok side that has climbed back to world No 1 following a convincing victory over Scotland.

However, Freeman was quoted by The Guardian that England remain confident of causing an upset, drawing inspiration from their narrow Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa last year.

“The semi-final was a one-point game, they were definitely blown back by the way the lads took it to them,” said Freeman.

“They are not unbeatable, they are still human, they are still rugby players, they are still playing the same game.”

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The 23-year-old Northampton winger, who was taken off at half time in England’s loss to the Boks at Twickenham in 2022, sees this weekend as a chance for redemption.

“We are going to deliver our game as best we can, make a few wrongs right from last weekend and we are going to go properly after them,” Freeman insisted.

“We are not going in saying, ‘we are expecting them to beat us, we will give it a shot’ that has never crossed our mind.”

England’s task has been complicated by injuries to Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, but Freeman remains resolute: “The Boks offer something very different. They’re a new challenge and they’re on top of the world at the moment.

“We may be considered underdogs but we’re going to take a big shot at them.”

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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