Stormers' Roos 'staying present' in URC charge

ONE day you're pushing hard to be part of the Springboks, and the next, you're out for six months with an injury.

- ASHFAK MOHAMED

That was the lot of Stormers No 8 Evan Roos last year, but having come through a difficult time, the 25-year-old is back to his best and once again putting up his hand for national selection.

It was a frustrating time for the former Paarl Boys' High star last season as he had missed out on Bok selection for the Rugby Championship games in Australia, having started against Portugal in Bloemfontein.

Roos decided to fix a lingering shoulder injury with an operation, and that meant months on the sidelines as he also wasn't available for the Bok November tour to Europe.

He eventually returned to action with the Stormers in January, and has been gradually getting back to the kind of form that saw him being an integral part of the United Rugby Championship title success in 2022, and becoming a Bok in the same year.

Even a huge blow to the cheek in the Racing 92 Champions Cup game hasn't halted his progress, and Roos was again prominent in last weekend's 34-29 URC win over Connacht at Cape Town Stadium.

With Jasper Wiese sidelined with a neck injury at the moment, Roos is reminding Bok coach Rassie Erasmus at just the right time about his ability ahead of the Tests against Italy and Georgia in July.