A refreshed and more mature Evan Roos has opened up about his new approach to rugby after facing injury setbacks and being left out of the Springbok squad.
Roos is now focused on moving past recent disappointments and putting all his energy into delivering top performances for the Stormers. After a meteoric rise with the team, Roos made his Test debut for the Springboks at the age of 22 in a narrow 13-12 loss to Wales in Bloemfontein. However, despite his early promise, he has only earned seven caps between 2022 and 2024, as his international career stalled following his exclusion from both the Rugby World Cup and Rugby Championship squads.
This unexpected turn of events provided Roos with the chance to address a persistent shoulder injury. After consulting with doctors, he was advised to undergo corrective surgery, which would sideline him until December, forcing him to miss the start of the Stormers’ season.
During a recent media event for the Investec Champions Cup in Cape Town, Roos candidly reflected on how being dropped from the Springbok squad affected him and how it has shaped his outlook on rugby and life.
EVAN ROOS ON HOW THE SPRINGBOK SNUB IMPACTED HIM
“Being left out of the Bok squad just before the World Cup and getting injured mid-season really hit me hard,” Roos admitted. “I was too tough on myself and pushed too hard.”
“The initial shock was tough to handle. You’re part of the Springboks setup, and then suddenly you’re not. Watching the Boks do well, especially with the big wins against New Zealand, was difficult. Mentally, it takes a toll.”
Roos went on to explain how he found a new sense of balance: “If you’re well-grounded and have a strong foundation in life, you learn to focus on what really matters and not on materialistic things. Putting your entire identity in rugby can be dangerous; it’s easy to fall off track.”
INJURY RECOVERY AND A NEW MENTALITY
When asked about his recovery, Roos was visibly excited, confirming that his rehabilitation was going smoothly and that he was on schedule to return.
“The surgery went well. I was able to get out of the sling quickly, and my shoulder has great mobility,” Roos said enthusiastically. “I’ve started light gym work and am almost ready to start running again. Every day is progress.”
Despite the natural assumption that Roos would be eager to reclaim his Springbok spot after recovering, he revealed that his focus has shifted. During his time away, he reflected on what he truly wants from rugby, realizing that enjoying the game again was his top priority.
“I want to continue building on what I’ve achieved and focus on improving the technical aspects that come with experience,” Roos shared. “But above all, I want to enjoy rugby again. Over the past year and a half, I’ve been too hard on myself.”
“I sometimes make poor decisions and try too hard, so my mentality now is to go back and simply enjoy playing. I want to play well for the Stormers, and if the Boks call me up, I’ll be ready to enjoy that experience too. But right now, my focus is on enjoying rugby here in Cape Town, and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Roos’s new approach highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset and rediscovering the joy of the sport while continuing to perform at the highest level.
