The Rugby World Cup may have wrapped up, but its stories are still unfolding, stories of pride, growth, purpose, hope and the quiet moments that follow the roar of the crowd. Among the shining lights of South Africa’s campaign is Nadine Roos, a player whose versatility knows no bounds, she’s our wing, fullback, fly-half, (basically anything in the back line!) as well as our sevens star. So I am grateful to be welcoming Nadine on to the podcast today to go behind and beyond the World Cup.
In this episode, she takes us beyond the try line and into the spaces that few see, the stillness after the stadium lights dim, the rhythm of returning home, and the complex dance between a more relaxed schedule and the busyness of the past few weeks. As a natural loner, she reflects on what it means to spend months side by side with her teammates, to share space, spirit, and silence and how interesting the connection and togetherness of a team truly is.
We also explore her connection to culture and meaning, what it felt like to stand opposite the Black Ferns, her deep respect for the Haka, and the lessons she learnt from her New Zealand teammates when playing in Japan. Playing against the Black Ferns is a benchmark moment for her, as playing against the top teams in the world is where you want to be. As Nadine Roos reflects; “these are players to measure yourself against.” It would be remiss not to ask her about starting a maul from a scrum, and her opportunity to embrace that moment and to be the best she could be, with a lot of preparation and conversation with the forwards.
Over the rugby world cup, many were drawn to Nadine’s story and the hard realities she encountered through her life, a reality she contributes to the success she has experienced. She had a dream without resources, and limited opportunity to make that a reality, yet she tenaciously pursued the dream in her heart. She hopes her life story will impact others, and that she can live a life in line with her values, to light someone elses candle. I ask Nadine about her overall purpose, the “why” of life, and her insight into what it means to truly be living.
As we reflect on South Africa’s history-making World Cup and what comes next for women’s rugby, Nadine leaves us with a powerful thought: “the history we created at the world cup will almost be our only history, because what are we leaving then for our younger generation if there is not development?”
This is more than a conversation about rugby. It’s about identity, purpose, and the stories that live long after the final whistle. Nadine Roos is honest about what she hopes can happen in the world of women’s rugby in South Africa, and with an inside edge in the game, we have to listen up!