Springbok Evan Roos runs with the ball during their Test match against Portugal at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein FILE - Springbok Evan Roos runs with the ball during their Test match against Portugal at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. Photo: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Springbok Evan Roos on Tuesday revealed that he has been dealing with his shoulder injury the entire season.
The loose forward, who can also play at lock, has just a handful of international caps to his name, but at 24-years-old he still has a long career ahead of him potentially.
Roos, though, was not selected as part of the Springboks squad for the Rugby Championship despite featuring for South Africa against Portugal in Bloemfontein in July — their final match before the four-team tournament.
Following his omission, Roos decided to have surgery on his troublesome shoulder.
Although Eben Etzebeth was not picked in the Springbok team to face the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Saturday, South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed the talismanic lock may still be drafted into the team.
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"I had a bit of a shoulder injury throughout the season, it was bearable. I was aware of it and we managed it well,” Roos told SportsBoom.com.
“The last three games in the training camp [Springboks], it just flared up...it was painful. I was prepared to play through it but when I had the gap after the Ireland and Portugal games, I went to go see the specialist and he said I should've operated on it a few months ago.
“I didn't have a choice but I am glad I got it sorted out. It’s not smart playing through an injury like that, there was a quite a lot of bone degeneration on my shoulder. It comes with the sport we play and had to get it sorted out.”
By the sounds of it, Roos could have indeed played a part in the Rugby Championship. However, following discussions with Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, Roos was not selected which in turn meant having his surgery would be the obvious choice.
"It’s well documented, Rassie doesn't have behind closed doors but a policy where it’s a one-on-one chat. If he has something to say, or anything in front of the whole squad. So in the meeting, he said guys should put up their hands in the next Test,” Roos said.
“There is a plan for everyone and unfortunately I wasn't part of it. I know whatever the Boks need and want must come first, obviously sad not to be part of it. There is always a silver lining, obviously with this shoulder injury which I have been playing with for over a year. It was probably the right time to get it sorted out now.
"Rassie is trying to build squad depth, we have to use certain players in certain games and I had my chance. For someone like Elrigh [Louw] and Jasper [Wiese] coming back and it’s their chance to get their depth and experience. There is nothing bad about it with coach Rassie and his staff creating squad depth."
Following their victory at Ellis Park over the weekend, the Springboks take on the All Blacks for the second time in this Rugby Championship on Saturday in Cape Town.
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