The Sharks' comeback kids
The Sharks closed the gap on the table-topping, defending champion Bulls with a second-half surge that saw them record a 35-20 win over Western Province this week.
However, there are two other successful conquests in the Kings Park cauldron that are worthy of headlines of their own.
Inny-Christian Radebe marked his return to first-class rugby with an accomplished performance at fullback, while Springbok Sikhumbuzo Notshe put the disappointment of missing out on the 2021 British and Lions tour behind him with a showing that suggests his Green and Gold dream remains alive.
Sharks coach Etienne Fynn was cautious not to go over the top with his praise, but acknowledged the significance of the two comebacks.
He scoffed at the suggestion that the utility back is a ‘journeyman’ – despite a storied journey that has seen Radebe play for the Sharks (20-odd times between 2015 and 2017), the Lions (two matches in 2018), the Sharks again (five matches in 2019) and the Eastern Province Elephants (2021).
He returned to Durban and was playing club rugby, before being called up to the Currie Cup squad for this week’s game.
“He has just had some unfortunate injury issues,” Fynn said of the 27-year-old’s struggles to get regular starting spots.
“He has overcome them,” he said of the injury issues, adding: “He has been given an opportunity and I am sure he will go from strength to strength.”
As for the player’s future at the Sharks, the coach said it is all about performance.
“Inny [Radebe] will be judged accordingly.”
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Notshe underwent surgery in May last year, after he ruptured his patella tendon.
He was on the fringes of Bok selection for the B&I Lions tour.
It has been a long, gruelling road back to full fitness.
Fynn said he was ‘hoping’ to have the six-Test Bok in his Currie Cup squad for a bit longer, before being called up to the URC squad.
“For someone who was sidelined for eight months, to deliver a performance like that, massive, massive credit must go to him,” Fynn said.
“It is testament to his incredible work ethic, to get back. Credit must also go to the medical team around him.
“Nots deserve all the plaudits he will get for this performance.”
He said the 28-year-old loose forward knows that one performance will not result in an automatic call-up to the Springbok squad.
“He needs to put together a string of performances,” the coach said, adding: “Then he can start thinking about the next level, the next step.
“He is emotionally mature enough to know that.”
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