EP coach Peter de Villiers has been brutal in his assessment his side’s almost 80-point drubbing against the Vodacom Bulls, claiming ‘rugby is war’.

READ: Radebe set for another spell on sidelines

De Villiers’ inexperienced side were definite underdogs going into the match but still managed to ship 12 tries as the Bulls romped to an 87-10 win over the men from EP.

‘It was the first time I saw most of the players in action in a match. Even though it was our first match in a long time, it was unfortunately also clear that some of the players don’t have the character to play at that level,’ he told Netwerk24.

‘I’m not going to lie to them. I may have to tell a few of them to find a job and play rugby part time.’

The brutal comments from De Villiers are doubtlessly intended to give his team a point to prove. Exemplary of the cutthroat nature of professional sport, De Villiers summed it up bluntly:

‘Rugby is war. If you don’t kill people, they kill you.’

Though, of course, speaking metaphorically, the point De Villiers makes is clear as he seeks to bring through the next generation of EP players there will be no excuses for those who do not perform.

EP’s next match will be at home against the Lions on 10 March, but the men in red will be without the services of captain and flyhallf Inny Radebe who has been sidelined for the rest of the season after fracturing his hand.

The captaincy duties may now fall upon veteran flank CJ Velleman, who enjoyed a busy outing against the Bulls. Versatile back Courtney Winnaar is another who has been suggested to take up the mantle.