Vermeulen Backs Roos To Shine Against Scotland

Springbok assistant coach Duane Vermeulen has thrown his full support behind Evan Roos ahead of his return to the No. 8 jersey, describing Saturday’s Test against Scotland as the ideal opportunity for the Stormers star to cement his place in the national side.

Vermeulen believes Roos has developed his all-round game and says the match presents the perfect chance for the 25-year-old to prove he can reproduce his outstanding Stormers form on the international stage.

With Jasper Wiese firmly established as South Africa’s first-choice No. 8, Roos has been handed an opportunity to impress as part of the Springboks’ squad rotation strategy.

Vermeulen was quick to acknowledge Wiese’s influence, highlighting the powerful ball carrier’s importance to the Springbok pack.

“First of all, Jasper Wiese has been a really big stalwart in our team,” Vermeulen said.

“He is one of the guys who gives us a great advantage by getting us over the advantage line and providing front-foot ball through his carries.”

Despite Wiese’s importance, Vermeulen stressed that creating opportunities for the squad’s depth players remains a key priority.

“Jasper is a massive asset to the squad. We want to give every single guy an opportunity to play, and it’s Evan Roos’ chance to put his hand up and say, ‘Listen, I’m also here.'”

The former Springbok No. 8 believes Roos possesses all the physical attributes needed to thrive at Test level, pointing to the influential role he plays for the Stormers.

“We want to give everyone opportunities, and this is probably a good game for him to show his worth and the impact he has on the game. If you look at Evan playing for the Stormers, he’s also the big go-to guy for them,” Vermeulen said.

“So hopefully he can step into that position and also get us some good go-forward. His energy on the pitch is massive, so we’d like to see plenty of that.”

Roos has often faced criticism that his dominant United Rugby Championship form has yet to translate consistently to the international arena, with questions raised about aspects of his decision-making and skill execution under pressure.

Vermeulen revealed that those finer details have been a major focus behind the scenes, with assistant coach Tony Brown playing a key role in developing every player in the squad.

“We’re working on that every day. There’s a lot of work being put in behind the scenes with Tony Brown. We’re working on the soft skills, not just with Evan, but with every single player,” he explained.

“Everyone plays their part in helping the guys improve in certain areas where they lack a little bit of precision and perfection.”

Ultimately, however, Vermeulen believes performances come down to the individual once they cross the whitewash.

“On the day, it has to come down to the player themselves. You know what you can produce and what you can give to the team.

“He’s a fantastic player. However, there’s a difference between playing URC and Test match rugby. We hope we can get him there and that he produces the goods we’re looking for,” added the two-time Rugby World Cup winner.

Vermeulen also explained why adapting from club rugby to the Springboks’ structured Test environment can be a significant challenge.

“I think the big thing is that the intensity of international rugby is much higher than playing in the URC or at club level,” he said.

“With us, there’s a specific way of playing. I think with the Stormers, there’s a little bit more freedom. It’s open-field rugby where you can pass and run off guys.

“Test match rugby is a little more structured and, sometimes, when you’re used to playing with a lot more freedom, it becomes difficult to adapt straight into that structure.”

Despite those challenges, Vermeulen remains confident Roos has the qualities to succeed on the biggest stage.

“He’s a quick learner, and I like the way he plays. I like his intensity, and hopefully he can showcase that on Saturday.”