Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'We can cause an upset': Nadine Roos' X factor elevates Springbok Women

Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The growth of the Springbok Women’s team over the last 12 months and their determined climb up the world rankings had many take notice of a potential new entry into the top ten of the world game, and those in the know will also point to the coinciding debut of a dynamic outside back in the green and gold and the impact Nadine Roos has made in this time.

ADVERTISEMENT

It is hard to believe Roos was first capped a mere 11 months ago and now, eight Tests later, the 26-year-old is rated amongst the best fullbacks at the Rugby World Cup, due to start on October 8.

Roos will get a second opportunity against Les Bleus – the team she made her Test debut against – this time at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand and not in Vannes, France. And for the speedster, there is a world of difference between the two outings.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

“I know and understand fifteens so much better than 11 months ago – at that time, I was just starting out playing fifteens, so I was learning as I went along,” said Roos.

“That first Test match against France was not the easiest match I participated in, but I will remember it for the rest of my life. Any athlete wants to compete at the highest level and that was my entry into Test rugby.

“Now I am playing on an even bigger stage, the Rugby World Cup and I could not be prouder of that fact.”

The ability to attack space and use her superior fitness and speed have always worked well for Roos on the Sevens fields of the world, with her scoring prowess and playmaking abilities establishing her as one of the major players in the World Rugby Sevens Series and – more recently – Rugby World Cup Sevens, where she was named in the tournament’s Dream Team, despite South Africa finishing in 14th position.

ADVERTISEMENT

She has proven to be a handful in fifteens too and according to Springbok Women backs coach Lungisa Kama, more is to come from Roos.

“Her ability to attack the space is a wonderful asset,” said Kama.

“There is a different alignment in fifteens, when to take the gap and attack that space is where the main differences exist between the two codes and that is where Nadine’s biggest growth area was. Attacking from the back is one thing, it all depends where on the field you are, and she has adapted to that very well.

“We are asking her to use that ability to finish and score tries, and she is creating nicely at the moment.”

For Roos, that role fits like a glove: “I am a playmaker in Sevens and need to find space for the rest of my teammates and in that regard, not much has changed. It is obviously a more congested defence and field position remains crucial, so the game management is another area of decision-making.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Roos feels the momentum with the squad will benefit them when they come up against France.

“We certainly have grown and developed from that day in Vannes – not only me, but the rest of the squad as well,” she said.

“We are now in a position where we can cause an upset on Saturday. We came to New Zealand to win matches and that first opportunity to do so will present itself on Saturday.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim
Search