Evan Roos is eager to rediscover his love of rugby when he returns for the DHL Stormers after starting his recovery from shoulder surgery following his Springbok omission.

Roos earned a recall to the Springboks on the back of a strong season for the DHL Stormers and started in the Tests against Wales at Twickenham and Portugal in Bloemfontein.

However, after being left out of the Rugby Championship squad, Roos took the opportunity to get a long-term shoulder issue operated on, ruling him out until December.

During a Champions Cup media engagement in Cape Town, the 24-year-old explained that he is looking forward to making a fresh start when he does return to the field for the Stormers.

“I want to keep working on what I have achieved so far and just get better at the small technical aspects and those things that come with experience,” Roos was quoted by Rugby365.

“I also want to enjoy my rugby again. I have been hard on myself this past year and a half.

“Being dropped out of the Bok side just before the World Cup and getting injured in the middle of the season, so I’ve been too hard on myself and pushed myself.

“I think I do stupid things, try too hard, so my mentality now when I go back is to enjoy it. Play well for the Stormers and if the Boks need me I will enjoy it there.

“But that is not my mindset now. Obviously, it is at the back of my mind but I first just want to enjoy my rugby playing for the union in Cape Town and hopefully afterwards at the Boks.”

Roos gave a positive update on his recovery, adding that he is over the initial shock of having to watch the Springboks from the sidelines.

“The operation went really well,” Roos said. “Luckily out of the sling quickly, the shoulder is very mobile. I started small gym movements as well.

“The mentality in the beginning was quite tough and also a bit of a shock. You are part of the Springboks set-up and all of a sudden you are not. You see the Springboks doing well, beating New Zealand twice, the match in Cape Town, so mentally it does affect you.

“However, if you are grounded well, have a good foundation and are focused on the things that matter in your life and not the materialistic stuff, you are better off.

“I think if you put your whole identity into rugby, you can fall off the bandwagon quite quickly.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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Src: sarugbymag.co.za