Nadine Roos backing Bok Women to turn the tables on Brazil in World Cup opener

Alongside her teammates Ayanda Malinga, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha and Sizophila Solontsi, Roos has played Brazil four times in the 2024 HSBC SVNS series.

The South Americans were victorious in three of those encounters, despite brave efforts from especially Roos, who scored some specacular tries against the team in yellow.

But the backline star said Boks are more than ready to flip the script this time around.

"Those matches were very close with one score or try that made the difference, it was only in one of those defeats where we were outplayed," said Roos. "So yes, I definitely believe we can give it back to them this time, different code or not. Rugby remains rugby and we want to win when we play for our country, especially at a Rugby World Cup."

The 27-year-old pointed out that Brazil's squad features plenty of familiar faces.

"The fact that almost 80% of their sevens regulars are in the Brazilian RWC squad prove their worth. Those speedsters are really fast and adding to that, their playmakers have the ability to provide them ball in space," she explained. "If we allow that on Sunday, we will be in trouble. I told my teammates that we need to kill their time and space on the ball. If we get shoulders on bodies and take the space away, they will not be as effective."

Now firmly settled into the scrumhalf role, Roos admits she has less freedom than in sevens, but her attacking instincts remain sharp.

"I would love scoring against them in fifteens as well," she smiled. "I scored some good tries against them in sevens and it will be nice to repeat that on Sunday. Having said that, some of those sevens tries came thanks to my teammates as well, and I would need their help again. It will have to be a team effort from us on Sunday."

The Springbok Women will sharpen their preparations with a joint training session against Japan on Wednesday. The match-day 23 to face Brazil will be confirmed on Friday, with all 32 players currently fit and available for selection.