The Springbok Women are locking focus on their upcoming Test against the US at Ellis Park, backing their squad depth and forward power to carry them through despite the absence of injured star Nadine Roos. Photo: Backpagepix
The loss of the Springbok Women’s X-factor player, Nadine Roos, will not deter the team from sticking to what makes them tick when they host the US Women this weekend in Johannesburg.
The current SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year is undoubtedly in the superstar mould and any team in the world would feel her absence while preparing for their Test season. Roos injured her knee while playing for the Bok Women’s Sevens earlier this year, and is expected to endure an arduous trek back to fitness in the coming weeks and months.
The 30-year-old will, therefore, miss the upcoming bilateral series against the US, starting on Saturday at Ellis Park (kick-off 1.30pm) and followed a week later at Loftus Versfeld.
Roos is arguably one of the best playmakers in world rugby at the moment, and coupled with her Sevens skills and versatility — she can play at scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback — a dangerous proposition to contain, be that as distributor, first receiver or on the counter. Against the US, who enjoy an expansive gameplan, she would have had opportunities aplenty to attack the visitors' defensive line.
