PLAYING on one of the country’s greatest stages (Growthpoint Kings Park stadium) on Saturday in a premier reserve league game, certainly did not aid the Rhinos 1 cause.
Varsity College Old Boys pulled the curtain down on the Zululand lads during the Sharks and Highlanders Super rugby curtain-raiser clash.
The Durbanites put on a cricket score, thrashing the Rhinos 90-8 in what was an embarrassing outing for the boys.
Sharks and U20 Springbok inside center Andre Esterhuizen sliced through the Rhinos defence like a pickpocket in a crowded marketplace.
The talented youngster hit all the right angles, creating gaps and off-loading to his team mates, which resulted in a flurry of tries.
Rhinos scrumhalf Dirkie de Waal was responsible for all eight points, which were scored in the first half.
Varsity were scoring at a point a minute, with the half time score reading 45-8.
The Durban lads stepped it up in the second half, playing expansive running rugby, which the Rhinos could not handle due to the lack of fitness.
With just two games to go before the end of this tournament, the Rhinos are sitting stone last on the log.
The lack of players attending practices during the week is certainly costing the Rhinos dearly.
One cannot rock up on a Saturday and expect miracles when meeting for the first time, and taking on a semi-professional side that is well drilled and prepared.
Judging from this performance, the looming promotion/relegation game is very worrisome.
Second team
Rhinos 2 went down to Varsity College Old Boys 78-0 at the Riverside Sports Club in the earlier game.
The Rhinos will take on Crusaders at Mick Kelly Park on Saturday 26 July in their last home game of the 2014 season.
Kick-off will be 2pm and 3.30pm.
Hi Richard Springorum,
I am a freelance writer for Varsity College. Please note that the team is not Varsity College Old Boys, but in fact VARSITY COLLEGE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB.
Thank you