With one game left in their 2023 FNB Varsity Shield campaign (Thursday 30 March against FNB CPUT in Cape Town), FNB Rhodes find themselves at the bottom of the log with no wins, 245 points scored against them and relegation their reality.
Their biggest defeat (5-87) was against log leaders FNB UWC in the first round (watch highlights HERE) while their closest contest came against FNB TUT (16-28) a week later (watch highlights HERE).
Despite the dire state of affairs, head coach James Winstanley says he remains proud of the team. He says the teams his side have come up against this year have been given significantly greater resources.
“If we wish to compete meaningfully, we will have no choice but to invest more”.
Rhodes University sports manager Frans Mamabolo says there are certain limitations concerning attracting tops quality rugby players.
The facilities, high Admission Point Scores and the under-valued bursaries are just some factors preventing top-quality rugby players from wanting to attend Rhodes and play for the university’s rugby team.
This year Rhodes has a notably younger squad compared to previous years and Winstanley says, “We have a young team competing against players with far more experience at this level.”
According to him, the players at his disposal enjoy playing rugby and they will take the adversity from this season as a way to build character for future games and tournaments.
by Aiden Daries
