Evan Roos will have another chance to prove his Test credentials when the Springboks face Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Duane Vermeulen challenging the Stormers No.8 to trade franchise flair for international discipline.
Vermeulen, the legendary former Springbok eighthman now serving as SA Rugby's Mobi-Unit coach, told a press conference on Tuesday that Roos must adapt from the expansive game that has made him a URC standout to the structured demands of Test rugby. "I think with the Stormers there's a little bit more of a joie de vivre, French style of play," Vermeulen said. "It's nice because it's open field rugby, and you can pass and you can run off guys. Test match rugby where we play, there's a little bit more structure and sometimes when you are used to playing a lot more freely, it becomes difficult to just go straight into structure."
The 26-year-old has divided opinion among Springbok supporters despite consistent excellence for the Stormers. Roos won his first cap in 2022 but has played second fiddle to Jasper Wiese, who has accumulated 44 Tests since his debut in mid-2021. Vermeulen made clear the selection was not a reflection on Wiese's form. "Jasper Wiese has been a big stalwart for us," he said. "He gives us a great advantage getting over the gainline, but we want to give everyone in the squad a chance. This week it's Evan's opportunity to put up his hand."
Soft skills under the microscope
Vermeulen revealed the coaching staff have invested considerable time developing Roos' all-round game, working alongside attack coach Tony Brown to refine the areas where precision has been lacking. "We're working on that every day," Vermeulen said. "There's a lot of work being put in behind the scenes with Tony Brown, working on the soft skills – not just with Evan, but with every player. Everyone plays their part in helping the guys improve the areas where they lack a bit of precision."
The former No.8 emphasised that Roos already possesses the physical attributes to succeed at the highest level. "If you look at Evan playing for the Stormers, he's their big go-to guy. Hopefully he can step into that role for us as well and give us that same go-forward. His energy on the pitch is massive."
With Cameron Hanekom also earning a run against England at flank on Saturday, Vermeulen acknowledged South Africa's depth at loose forward. "I think we're in a position where we're a bit spoilt for choice with our loose forward department," he said. "There's a lot of guys you can pick from so I'm not singling one guy out. I think it's a good group and they're really pushing each other to be the best player in those specific positions."
For Roos, Saturday represents a critical juncture. The intensity of Test rugby moves faster than franchise level, Vermeulen noted, and the margin for error narrows accordingly. Whether the Stormers star can translate his URC dominance into the green and gold will depend on his ability to marry physicality with the discipline required in a Springbok jersey.