Dobson and Erasmus share a 'special trait'

SPOTLIGHT: Evan Roos has revealed why he believes coaches such as John Dobson at the Stormers and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus are able to rally their players so successfully behind them.

The Stormers No.8 and his teammates are heading to Pretoria this week for a North-South derby against Bulls and the 24-year-old took some time out to share his thoughts on the upcoming match.

He also gave some insight on what it’s like to work with Dobson at franchise level and with Erasmus at the Boks.

“Firstly, they’re good people. They’re just plain good people, who understand people,” said Roos.

“They know how to deal with people and have been blessed with the emotional intelligence to know how different individuals work and how to get them operating.

“They work with people from diverse backgrounds and it takes a skill to get this big bunch of people from different areas to work together for a common goal.

“It’s a special trait that only certain people possess, and I think those people should be cherished or looked after because it just shows what it can do for a province or a country when things like that work out.”

The North-South derby demands the best of every South African rugby player privileged to compete in it and for Roos this match asks and answers every question they as players ask themselves.

“I think both teams get so psyched to play against each other. It’s always good hard rugby,” he said.

“There is never anything ugly about it. It’s just a proper rugby match with both teams going at each other full tilt and that’s also what South Africans enjoy watching.

“It’s a big game for us, as it is for them.”

With the United Rugby Championship incorporating an Origins theme into these derby matches celebrating the rugby roots of the players, these questions become even more relevant leading up to kick-off.

“At the Stormers, we often talk as a group and share where we came from, how we got into rugby, and why we play rugby,” said Roos.

The Stormers are currently enjoying a six-game winning streak in all competitions and Roos knows what it takes for a team to be successful on the field.

“Success on the field takes belief in one another and in our plan and what we want to do,” said Roos.

“It’s a fight and there are a lot of games where you’ve just come out winners at the end with one or two-point wins or a kick here and there.

“It’s the willingness to work for one another and the love we have for each other in this team. That shows on the field.”