Evan Roos took a knock in his rugby journey by not making the Springbok 33 for the World Cup, but John Dobson agrees the DHL Stormers No 8 has benefitted from the break it has afforded him. DYLAN JACK reports.
From making an impressive impact for the Stormers in the British & Irish Lions tour in 2021, to getting Rassie Erasmus tweeting after helping the Capetonians win the inaugural URC and then earning his Springbok colours in 2022, it has been a whirlwind time for Roos.
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The 23-year-old made just seven appearances in all competitions for the Stormers since the start of the year, after suffering a rib injury in his second Test start last November against England, and then fainting at the airport on his return to South Africa from the European tour.
Roos was part of the expanded Springbok squad that prepared for the World Cup, but did not make the final 33-player cut as veteran Duane Vermeulen and the powerful Jasper Wiese were taken as the specialist eighthmen.
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However, speaking ahead of the Stormers’ Vodacom URC opener against the Lions, coach Dobson agreed that the time away from rugby and being able to experience a full pre-season has only benefitted Roos.
“You think about what Evan’s journey would have looked like if he made the World Cup squad, what he would have been through,” Dobson said.
“From his niggles point of view, from giving him a break – because it was a crazy 18 months for him, going from not playing to all the hype and fuss about him becoming a Springbok – so that was useful.
“He is visibly less pressured and less stressed, not so grumpy. He just seems to be very happy and very excited. His body is in good shape. Last season was very tough for him.
“For the long-term good of South African rugby and his personal good now, there is definitely a benefit to not having him at the World Cup. He is really just full of smiles and in good physical shape.”
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