Evan Roos has been dubbed an “old school” character who just enjoys playing rugby - and what he’s particularly enjoyed doing this season is scoring tries.
The DHL Stormers No 8 finished the regular Vodacom URC campaign as the leading try scorer in the competition, having touched down 12 times.
He ended up one clear of Ulster Rugby winger Zac Ward and two above Ward’s team-mate Werner Kok and Connacht Rugby No 8 Sean Jansen.
That sees Springbok Roos receive the OFX Top Try Scorer award, following in the footsteps of two hookers - Ulster’s Tom Stewart (2023) and Glasgow Warriors’ Johnny Matthews (2024) - and Cardiff Rugby Harri Millard (2025).
The 26-year-old set the tone for what was to come by crossing twice in the opening game of the Vodacom URC season against Leinster Rugby, while there was to be another double versus Edinburgh Rugby in March.
His table-topping tally also included tries against Ospreys, Scarlets, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions, Vodacom Bulls, Dragons RFC, Connacht, Glasgow Warriors and Ulster.
If that wasn’t enough, he touched down twice in the Investec Champions Cup and crossed the whitewash for the Barbarians against an All Blacks XV in November.
That makes a grand total of 15 tries for the season in all matches, which is some haul.
Giving his thoughts on Roos’ prolific finishing, DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said: “He’s very fast, and he also runs good support lines.
“He’s just a kid who enjoys rugby. He just wants the ball in his hands, he wants to play, he wants to tackle people.
“He’s like an old school rugby player. He’s ‘Yes coach, no coach, sorry coach, what do you want coach?’
“I think if rugby was an amateur sport, he’d still be playing exactly the same.
“He’s like a kid. He’s got humour, he giggles, he contributes, he’s fantastic. I love him.”
As for the man himself, eight-cap Springbok Roos confirms how much he relishes his rugby role.
“I am just enjoying it. It’s fun. The tries are just a nice bonus for me,” he said.