Nadine Roos says Springbok Women ready to counter Brazil’s speed at Rugby World Cup

In the modern game of rugby, there's no place to hide. Coaching staff have almost unlimited access to information about opponents; there is a plethora of video footage, statistics and analysis available, so those planning strategies against opponents are spoiled for choice.

However, no amount of data on paper, laptops or tablets can take the place of personal experience – having come face to face with and tussled with your opponents on the field provides a wealth of information that no amount of theory could. And this experience is what the Springbok Women have in overflowing amounts.

It’s true that though Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup opener between South Africa and Brazil at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton may be the first Test between the two nations, for Springbok Women utility back Nadine Roos, some of her opponents will not be unfamiliar at all.

Alongside her teammates Ayanda Malinga, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha and Sizophila Solontsi, Roos has played Brazil four times in the 2024 HSBC SVNS series.

Yes, the South Americans were indeed victorious in three of those encounters, despite brave efforts from especially Roos, who scored some spectacular tries against the team in yellow, but playing in a different code, Roos said she is determined that a different result will follow.

Roos spoke to the media at the team’s training base in Kettering, a short drive from Sunday’s match venue, and said that the South Americans may have won, but they never really dominated.

“Those matches were very close with one score or try that made the difference; it was only in one of those defeats where we were outplayed,” said Roos.

“So yes, I definitely believe we can give it back to them this time, different code or not. Rugby remains rugby, and we want to win when we play for our country, especially at a Rugby World Cup.”

Roos noted that Brazil’s squad for the tournament includes a large contingent of their sevens regulars.

“Those speedsters are really fast, and adding to that, their playmakers have the ability to provide them ball in space,” she said. “If we allow that on Sunday, we will be in trouble. I told my teammates that we need to kill their time and space on the ball. If we get shoulders on bodies and take the space away, they will not be as effective.”

Roos, now settled into a scrumhalf role, said she is eager to contribute in fifteens as well.

The squad will train with Japan on Wednesday before the matchday 23 is announced on Friday.