Radebe happy to gain experience by slotting in anywhere needed
DURBAN: Having had a tough season after making a breakthrough last year, the versatile Inny Radebe is enjoying a bit of an extended run for the Sharks, and admits he is happy to slot in where needed.
The 22-year-old’s versatility has seen him come in at flyhalf and fullback for the Currie Cup, but with now onecapped Bok Curwin Bosch being released back to the Sharks, Radebe will be hoping he has made enough of an impact to stay in a starting berth,
It was Radebe who managed to break a massive dam wall put up by Western Province last week. The Sharks sat camped in the home team’s half for going on a quarter of the game in the second half as they went in search of seven point to snatch the win.
Radebe was on hand to get the ball over the line, as well as kick the vital conversion, and one has to think with that star performance even a Curwin Bosch cannot usurp him.
“Enjoying being able to play 10 and 15,” Radebe explained. “Nowadays it is crucial that you are versatile, so I am enjoying the experience.”
However, when pushed, Radebe admitted his preferred position is flyhalf.
“To be honest, I would rather play a specialist position, but the game is evolving so much these days that to reach your full potential you need to have versatility,” Radebe added. “I don’t mind being able to explore other options… But flyhalf is number one for me!”
It could well be that Bosch slots back into the flyhalf berth ahead of another youngster in Bernhard Janse van Rensburg, with Radebe maintaining that fullback jersey.
With Garth April seemingly still in the bad books for a disciplinary issue, Radebe still has competition with the returning Ryno Smith, who overcame injury last week, coming off the bench.
It is the versatility that Radebe has, as well as a number of other backs, that has helped coach Robert du Preez enact a bench strategy that has seen the Sharks play a full front row in a system that only has 22 players in the match day squad.
“We are in a position where we we are lucky to have three or four backs that can cover multiple positions,” Radebe explained. “It makes it a little bit easy for the coach to add the extra front row on the bench.”
Up next for the Sharks is a return fixture against the Cheetahs, the only team to have bested them all season. However, the roles have reversed as it is the Cheetahs who are spread across two tournaments this time as they look to balance the Currie Cup and their opening fixture in the Pro 14.