Latest news with #EvanRoos
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
John Dobson: This is not the way we wanted to end our URC campaign
Stormers No 8 Evan Roos and other big ball carriers of the Stormers struggled to get go-forward ball against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday in the URC quarter-finals. Image: BackpagePix An emotional John Dobson, Stormers director of rugby, said this is not the way they envisioned their United Rugby Championship (URC) to end after suffering defeat in the quarter-final of the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday night in Scotland. However, he gave the Glasgow Warriors credit for how they managed to dismantle his side's defence and kept their potent attack in check with some good, solid defence. The defending champions, in the end, won comfortably and kept their spotless record at the Scotstoun Stadium against the Cape side in check with a 36-18 victory. Dobson said it was by far his team's "worst performance" in a couple of seasons as they exited the tournament at the first knockout stage for the second consecutive season. 'It's sitting pretty tough in the throat, emotionally,' Dobson said after the match. 'I couldn't sit in the changeroom and complain about the efforts, though. After their last try, we were all over their 22m area but we just played very very poorly. They put us under a lot of pressure, physically they defended really well. We didn't get any yardage in our carries. 'I don't think effort or fight was absent, but a plethora of mistakes (from us), and massive credit to Glasgow for their defence, it was excellent. They are also really good with the ball in hand, as we know, and if we were going to kick as inaccurately as we did, they were going to punish us.' Dobson added that they were functioning on a 90% lineout success rate for the last couple of games, but it dropped down to 70% on the night. They also defended poorly and gave away in the region of 17 linebreaks and ended the clash with a 65% tackle completion rate. That all contributed to Glasgow scoring five brilliant tries to take the game away from the visitors, despite the Stormers winning the battle with possession and territory. Apart from the tackling and lineout woes, the exit strategy of the Cape side also put them under immense pressure. The loss of captain Salmaan Moerat and centre Dan du Plessis in the first half added to their woes, especially on defence.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Five key players to watch as Stormers face Glasgow Warriors in URC showdown
Stormers No 8 Evan Roos will look to continue his excellent form in the United Rugby Championship when they face the Glasgow Warriors on Friday evening at the Scotstoun Stadium in the quarter-finals. Image: BackpagePix The Stormers will look to make history by eliminating the reigning United Rugby Championship (URC) titleholders, the Glasgow Warriors, on Friday evening with a first-ever victory at the Scotstoun Stadium (8.35 pm start). While they are aware that it will take a concerted team effort over the 80 minutes of rugby, the Cape side will bank on some of their game-breakers and front-rankers to lay the platform for their onslaught. Independent Media looks at five key players that could aid the Stormers in their quest to reach the semi-finals. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu While he looks to have no nervous moments when he is in the flyhalf saddle for the Cape side, knockout matches bring another form of pressure that he must embrace to lead the side on the attack and with his kicking boot. It will be the first quarter-final where Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the general of his team and the Warriors defenders will paint a big red target on his front and back to unsettle him. He will have limited time and space to work his magic, but his cool and calm demeanour could be one of the aces up his sleeve. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Man of the match performance. Generational baller. Appreciate greatness — Matthew Bauer (@MB5Plug) April 20, 2025 Feinberg-Mngomezulu will also need to dial in his aim at the poles because every single point in this clash will be vital to getting that elusive victory at Scotstoun. Suleiman Hartzenberg The 22-year-old has only had a handful of games at outside centre and throwing him in at the deep end in a quarter-final could work out spectacularly for the Stormers or explode in their faces. Hartzenberg has the skills and temperament to stand his man in the midfield and with the help of the experienced Dan du Plessis on his inside, he should rise to the occasion. His defending in the No 13 jersey will be crucial, especially against Scotland internationals like Sione Tuipulotu and wingers Kyle Steyn and Kyle Rowe. What a night for Suleiman Hartzenberg who was voted the Fans' Man of the Match in his 50th game. Join our WhatsApp channel to vote after every match. 👇 — DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 19, 2025 He will be primed for some attacking runs when the Stormers get the ball in space and he is known for hitting gaps with his explosive pace. Evan Roos Many feel the burly No 8 has a point to prove after being left out of the second Bok alignment camp earlier, but if that will be his focus, the Stormers will be under immense pressure on Friday. Roos will have to lead the physical onslaught of his side, whether it's carrying the ball up in contact or putting his body on the line with massive tackles to halt the Glasgow runners. His support plays when they are in space on the attack and his fielding of high kicks will likely come under scrutiny too. The Stormers' enforcer will also have to guard against potential handbags from his opponents because they will definitely look to get under his skin during the clash. Neethling Fouché The tighthead prop will be up against a formidable scrummager in Jamie Bhatti who has racked up over 120 matches for the Warriors, so one could expect some fireworks between the duo, especially at scrum time. While Fouché is known for his prowess in the scrum, it's his tackling and work at the breakdown that will also come under the spotlight in the clash. He is not afraid to put his body on the line and will, alongside Roos and captain Salmaan Moerat, lead the physical onslaught of the visitors. His scrummaging will go a long way in getting the Stormers going forward on the attack or milking kickable penalties at goal should he get the upper hand over Bhatti up front. The king of the dummy - Warrick Gelant 👑 Gelant is currently in second place for the 2025 Playmaker Award and you can see why 😮💨@Vodacom #URC — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 9, 2025
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Six Springbok hopefuls who need to blow the lights out in URC knockouts
A number of players on the fringes of the Springboks will be eager to impress for their franchises in the URC playoffs this weekend. Bulls eighthman Cameron Hanekom and Stormers eighthman Evan Roos will both be looking to impress in the URC playoffs ahead of the coming international season where they will both hope to be in the Springbok mix. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images The United Rugby Championship (URC) knockouts are set and ready to go, with the quarterfinals to be battled out over the next three days, with South African hopes resting with the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers. All three teams will be eager to progress as far as possible, while several players will be aiming to show their worth, first to try help their side get through to the semi-finals and final and then lift the title, and second to prove that they belong at the highest level, playing on the international stage for the Springboks. With a match against invitational team, the Barbarians, at the end of June, and the Incoming Series against Italy and Georgia in July, a number of fringe players and youngsters could get a chance to break into the Bok fold and make a claim to become a regular member of the team. Here are six players, two from each franchise, that will be aiming to blow the lights out during the URC playoffs over the next few weeks. Bulls Cameron Hanekom It has been a second straight scintillating season for the Bulls loose forward, and he must certainly have his hat firmly in the ring to get a run for the Boks this season, to add to the one cap picked up on last year's end of year tour. Eighthman has had a slight question mark on it since the retirement of Duane Vermeulen after the last World Cup, with Jasper Wiese the current incumbent, while Siya Kolisi has shown for the Sharks this season that he can also assist there when needed, so Hanekom will want to prove there is no need for anyone else. Johan Grobbelaar Hooker has been a problem position for the Boks over the past few years, with them struggling to find a regular third choice option behind Malcom Marx and Bongi Mbonambi. With Mbonambi getting on in years — he is currently 34 — it is vitally important that the Boks find another option for the No 2 jersey. Grobbelaar has been on the Bok fringes and played a few games, but has been unable to take his chance as of yet, and he will be desperate to impress, especially with his teammate, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who can cover both prop and hooker, showing some top recent form which will give him a leg up. Sharks Vincent Tshituka There have been rumblings about Tshituka representing the Springboks ever since his time at the Lions, but the Congo-born, Johannesburg-bred loose forward has been caught up in a nightmare of bureaucratic red tape around his citizenship for the past few years. Finally at the end of last year both Vincent and his brother Manu (Emmanuel) were given their SA citizenship and passports, but they were still unable to represent the Boks without an SA ID, which they received last month. Vincent was immediately brought into the Boks' recent alignment camp and he will now want to back that up in the playoffs and force his way into the playing squad. Brothers Emmanuel and Vincent Tshituka have Bok colours in their sights. Picture: Gallo Images Ethan Hooker The rising young utility back talent has backed up a breakout previous season with another solid campaign, and he will be eyeing a Springbok debut over the coming international season. The 22-year-old Hooker impressed so much in his debut senior campaign last season that he was brought into the Bok fold. He attended alignment camps and was in the extended squad ahead of the opening Test against Wales last year, but didn't make his debut. He will thus be aiming to put in some monster performances in the URC playoffs, and force his way into the reckoning to make the next step up. Stormers Evan Roos A lot of noise was made after the Stormers eighthman was left out of the second Bok alignment camp, despite having enjoyed another top season for his franchise. Despite his fantastic form for the Stormers, he has yet to fully take the few Bok opportunities he has received over the past few years and impress. His terrific franchise form should, however, see him get another crack in the green and gold this season, but a strong showing in the playoffs could just make that a certainty. With huge competition emerging for the Bok No 8 jersey, it is imperative for Roos to make a statement, and back that up if he gets another shot for the national side. Suleiman Hartzenberg Like Hooker, Hartzenberg is another young exciting rising utility back talent that looks ready to make the step up. The 22-year-old's trajectory is eerily similar to the Sharks talent, with them both playing together for the Junior Boks. But Hartzenberg has made an earlier and bigger mark at franchise level, recently making his 50th appearance for the Stormers. He has also been a part of the Bok alignment camps, but hasn't made it into the squad yet, and he will want to back up his brilliant recent form, since returning from injury, in the playoffs and make sure he is considered come the start of the international season.
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will spread his selection net beyond players invited to alignment camps
Evan Roos Stormers No 8 Evan Roos may still play for the Springboks this year, despite missing out on the latest alignment camp. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has not closed the door on players who were not invited to the alignment camp held in Cape Town this week. Notable omissions from the 54-man camp included Stormers No 8 Evan Roos, Bulls hookers Johan Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe, Stormers hookers André-Hugo Venter and Joseph Dweba, and Sharks loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi. 'There are some guys we did not pick because we know them already. They know the way we want to play and what we are trying to do,' Erasmus said after the camp. 'There will be guys outside this group that will play for the Boks this year.' Those words will be a reprieve for the uninvited after Erasmus invited 84 players to the March camp before culling 30 for the latest camp. Erasmus added that some of the players who participated in the two-day event this week will not be selected. 'Not all newcomers will play for the Boks this year, and that was made very clear to them,' the coach said. 'There were some younger guys that we just wanted to have a look at. We wanted to get to know them. 'Overall, it went really well,' Erasmus continued. 'We had a solid group of 36 players in person, with the balance (of the 54 invited) overseas or guys that could not be here because they are being treated for injuries. 'All the coaches and departments shared our plan on how we are going to operate this year. 'In this camp, we looked specifically at how we are going to do things on the field. 'We are getting close to the actual rugby stuff.' Erasmus said that he cannot put the players on the training field until the United Rugby Championship is over. 'Obviously, there is still franchise rugby to be played, and we wish the players well for the URC playoffs. But overall, there is no player who can say they don't have all the information. 'We are looking forward to our next get-together, because that is when we will get on the field. 'We haven't done anything on the field since the last game of last year.' Erasmus said this camp had made the approaching season real. The Boks open their account for the year with a friendly against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28. 'The nice thing is that we have had two alignment camps, with a lot of it done virtually,' he said. 'There has been so much planning, and a lot of it has been around doing some stuff differently. 'In this regard, I think we are going to see the influence of (attack coach) Tony Brown and (defence coach) Jerry Flannery, as they are now into their second year. 'There is a lot of excitement, and now the challenge is to put it together on the field. 'We have done so much 'training' with our computer programme (Erasmus has pioneered a computer rugby game called Outfox). 'We have had walk-throughs, because we don't want to injure guys while the URC is still on. 'There is enthusiasm about the things we want to change, so we can't wait to get into camp after the URC and physically put the planning into practice.' Erasmus said he would always expect players to be excited about participating in camps. 'It goes without saying that the new guys were thrilled to be there, but you also want the older guys to get excited. 'If a guy is not excited to be here, then we made the wrong decision to invite him. 'There is a lot of motivation for us this year.
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Evan Roos outcry puzzling despite alignment snub
The omission of Evan Roos from the second Springbok alignment camp is likely not sinister and he should be in the selection mix come the international season. Stormers eighthman Evan Roos has been in terrific form in the URC this season but missed out on selection for the Springbok camp in Cape Town this week. Picture: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images The outcry in some quarters over Evan Roos being left out of the Springboks' second alignment camp taking place in Cape Town later this week seems like a bit of an overreaction. A number of pundits and fans have questioned the decision by Bok boss Rassie Erasmus to leave Roos out of the 54-man group that will gather in Cape Town to continue early preparations for the international season. Questions have been asked if Roos has perhaps fallen out with Erasmus, having been invited to the first alignment camp earlier this year. But Erasmus has always said that not being invited to an alignment camp has no bearing on whether a player will be selected for the Springboks or not, and I believe that to be the case here, as players have missed alignment camps in the past but still played for the Boks. Possible reason A possible reason for Roos' omission could be the number of loose forwards invited to the camp. There are multiple new players in the mix as well, and Roos has been to several Bok alignment camps before. Sharks utility forward Vincent Tshituka, who only recently got his SA ID, will attend for the first time, young Lions loose forward Renzo du Plessis has only attended one alignment camp, while one-Test Bok Cameron Hanekom is another player who has not been in the system very long. People might wonder why it is necessary to have more experienced players, such as Bok captain Siya Kolisi or Bulls loose forward Marco van Staden attend the camp, but the senior players likely play an important role in integrating new players into the system. Roos has been in cracking form for the Stormers in the URC this season and I fully believe he deserves to be a part of the Bok squad come the international season, though he has yet to replicate his club form on the international stage. I will be very surprised if he isn't given the chance to play again for the Boks during the Tests against Italy and Georgia in July.
