VIDEO: Nadine Roos steals the show for all the right reasons
REACTION: There is no way to stop Nadine Roos as she continues to take women’s rugby to the next level.
Roos took home the SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award for the second time in three years on Thursday.
The star, who previously won the award in 2022, was celebrated for outstanding contributions to the 15-a-side and Sevens formats of the game.
“It’s a massive privilege to be recognised for the hard work and sacrifice you put in,” Roos told Rugby365 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
“It’s an honour to represent your fellow teammates, the management that also recognises your talent and selects you to represent your country and the women’s system in general.”
The playmaker’s pace and attacking skills have made her a household name. She is one of the few players that excel in Sevens and the 15-a-side codes.
Most recently she steered for the BlitzBok Women during the Challenger Series where they claimed second place after losing the Final to Kenya and less than a few days later was in the Springbok Women alignment camp.
When asked how she seamlessly moves from one to another, Roos said: “To go from one system to another, it takes a lot of focus out of a player.
“But for me, it is to know when to switch between the codes.
“People always ask me how I do it and when I think back on it, I always try to stay present and in the moment.
“When I’m in the Sevens, I know what is expected of me and know my responsibilities there. I make sure I go through my notes and give the team the momentum they need from me, and I fulfil my role there.
“Same with fifteens. I make sure before the camp I go through my notes and watch footage, recap.”
*Article continues below…
Roos, who will play a key role in the Springbok Women’s World Cup campaign later this year, commended SA Rugby for its efforts in helping the international squad.
Unlike previous years, there have been more alignment camps under the guidance of Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin.
The team is busy with their fourth camp of the year in Cape Town.
“From 2021, there was a massive boost from World Rugby to grow the women’s game and from 2022 to 2023 SA Rugby has also put in the effort to show that they are backing the women’s system, making sure we are awarded like male counterparts.
“Last year with the Olympics with the Sevens there was a massive emphasis on providing the team with the essentials that they need to go and do well. The same now with the World Cup and Challenger Series.
“You can see that they putting in effort to help the sevens get back on the HSBC World Series. Same with the fifteens making sure there are enough camps and preparations for the World Cup.”
The Springbok Women will open their World Cup campaign against Brazil on Sunday, August 24.
The BlitzBoks Women will be in action next month during the World Rugby Challenger Series in Poland.
