Evan Roos Stormers No 8 Evan Roos beats the Connacht defence to score a try last Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
One day you’re pushing hard to be part of the Springboks, and the next, you’re out for six months with an injury.
That was the lot of Stormers No 8 Evan Roos last year, but having come through a difficult time, the 25-year-old is back to his best and once again putting up his hand for national selection.
It was a frustrating time for the former Paarl Boys’ High star last season as he had missed out on Bok selection for the Rugby Championship games in Australia, having started against Portugal in Bloemfontein.
Roos decided to fix a lingering shoulder injury with an operation, and that meant months on the sidelines as he also wasn’t available for the Bok November tour to Europe.
He eventually returned to action with the Stormers in January, and has been gradually getting back to the kind of form that saw him being an integral part of the United Rugby Championship title success in 2022, and becoming a Bok in the same year.
Even a huge blow to the cheek in the Racing 92 Champions Cup game hasn’t halted his progress, and Roos was again prominent in last weekend’s 34-29 URC win over Connacht at Cape Town Stadium.
With Jasper Wiese sidelined with a neck injury at the moment, Roos is reminding Bok coach Rassie Erasmus at just the right time about his ability ahead of the Tests against Italy and Georgia in July.
However, the hard-running No 8 is not stressing too much about adding to his seven Bok caps just yet.
“I think I was gone long enough – people forgot about me!” Roos said on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s clash against Benetton at Cape Town Stadium (6.15pm start).
“It’s been awesome and it has been a smooth run back... no complications after the op and all that. I’m very happy, and everything is going well.
“I think the six months off did me quite well. It put things into perspective, and kind of got me a new angle or looking at things differently in terms of how I play.
“I think it was very good. I really came back motivated and rejuvenated, and energised to play again.
“In terms of the Springboks and all that, one of the reasons why I enjoy my rugby or been a bit better than usual is because I am really enjoying being here...
“Kind of present in the moment, and trying to do my best for the Stormers, and not worry too much about things in the future.
“I just try to control what I can control, and the rest is not in my hands: it’s in someone else’s hands.
“So, I’m just really enjoying playing rugby again. I was gone for half-a-year, and it does put things into perspective. So, really blessed through that.”
Roos is at his best when he attacks the wider channels, but has also cottoned on to what Erasmus likes to see from Bok loose forwards by getting stuck in at close quarters.
He has had a high work-rate as a ball-carrier and tackler, and will again have his work cut out to counter a top-class Benetton loose trio that were outstanding in the 42-31 win over the Lions in Johannesburg last week.
Star No 8 Lorenzo Cannone is hard to stop with ball-in-hand, while Italy captain Michele Lamaro never stops going all over the pitch, so the Stormers will hope to shore up a leaky defence this weekend to remain in the playoff race.
“If it has to be up close and physical – and that’s what the team need me to do – I’ll do it,” Roos said.
“If I need to be in the wider channels and play rugby there, I will. Either or, I enjoy what I do. It’s fun and good to be back, and I can’t say I prefer something.
“Last week was a more tight, physical game against Connacht, and you get other games that are a bit more loose.
“I wouldn’t say that we were lucky to win. We did work hard – we just weren’t clinical enough in terms of defence.
“We had a two-week break with the EPCR fixtures, so I won’t say we were a bit rusty, but no rugby when other teams played two matches.
“So, I’m happy that we could get that out of the way, and now we are in full game mode.
“The fighting character that we showed to still pull it through is admirable to see.
“But we definitely have to improve on the performance from the past weekend. It’s not going to be good enough if we do that again this weekend.
“On Monday, we sorted out all the small things, and now we have full confidence going into this next match against Benetton.
“There are a few internationals in their team, and the Italians are very passionate people... very proud of their rugby and their country.”