Nadine Roos confident as Springbok Women prepare for World Cup opener

Roos, who alongside Ayanda Malinga, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha and Sizophila Solontsi, previously faced Brazil in the 2024 HSBC SVNS series, admits those encounters were tough, losing three out of four meetings. 

But she believes the experience will give them an edge as they now meet in the 15s format for the first time.

"Yes I think definitely on the 7s circuit the ability to punish them quite a few times but also the ability of the team to also support and help and the contribution on the score. I would definitely want to replicate that on the 15s and on the best world stage you can play at,” Roos said.

“I would definitely want to punish them here as well, give them a little pay back for being such good players as well."

Roos has also cautioned that Brazil will bring plenty of pace into Sunday’s Test, with almost 80 percent of their World Cup squad made up of sevens regulars.

She says the Springbok Women will need to keep a close eye on Brazil’s speedsters and creative playmakers if they are to start their campaign with a victory.

"I definitely think the speedstars I have in the team almost look like they have all the 7s players here, they are also pretty much versatile players but I definitely think in terms of the speed that they have, once they're in space, it's quite difficult to stop them. 

“So, I think for our team my advice to them is just kill the time and space on the ball and don't give them anything. They don't really like the contact, you can even see it on the 7s circuit as well so I think definitely that's where we can punish them, just by closing and killing the space. “I definitely also think the playmakers don't give them time on the ball because if they put those speedstars in space, they will run circles around you, that's a really good quality that they have. That's my advice to the team, don't give them space."