Nadine Roos: From Adversity to Rugby Excellence – South Africa’s Dual-Code Superstar
Rising to New Heights in South African Rugby
South African rugby star Nadine Roos has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing the SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year award for the second time in three years. Her versatility and outstanding contributions in both fifteen-a-side and sevens formats of the game have earned her this prestigious recognition.
A Journey of Resilience
Roos’s story is one of remarkable resilience. Abandoned as a toddler at a daycare centre by her mother who struggled with substance abuse, she was taken in by her grandmother, ‘Ouma’ Sarie Roos, who refused to let her granddaughter enter the welfare system.
Her athletic journey began at the University of Pretoria, where she received a track and field scholarship. When injuries derailed her hopes of becoming a world-class 400m hurdler, Tuks women’s sevens rugby coach Riaan van der Merwe recognized her potential and offered her a chance on the rugby field.
Olympic Dreams and World Cup Aspirations
Roos played a crucial role in helping South Africa qualify for their first-ever Olympic Games, with the team securing their spot by winning the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens qualifying tournament. The victory over Kenya in the final marked a historic moment for South African women’s rugby.
Her sporting calendar for 2024-25 is packed with prestigious events. She has been confirmed for South Africa’s fifteens squad in the 2024 WXV 2 tournament and has been named in the Springbok women’s squad for the Rugby World Cup in England.
Impact Beyond the Field
While receiving awards is an honor, Roos’s focus remains on the example she sets for others. As a senior player in the national teams she represents, she emphasizes the importance of empowering the younger generation through her actions and conduct.
Looking ahead, Roos believes that consistent performance at the highest level will lead to increased investment in women’s rugby in South Africa. She envisions her team developing into a dominant force in world rugby, comparable to powerhouses like Australia and New Zealand.
