EXCLUSIVE: Jobless flyhalf looking abroad for employment
A failed medical exam has left Radebe without a Super Rugby franchise for 2018.
Radebe was bound for Johannesburg, after negotiating an early release from the Sharks contract that was due to run until the end of 2018.
However, he failed his medical with the Lions and the deal fell flat.
Radebe admitted that his failed medical is related to a long-term knee injury.
"It does not require surgery, it just needs to be managed," he said of the troublesome knee that was first operated on back in 2015.
"It has been fine," Radebe told rugby365, adding: "It has been fine. The Sharks have looked after it for a year-and-a-half.
"It is something [a problem] I have. [Retired World Cup-winning Springbok flyhalf] Butch James had the same issue for years and he had a long career."
He dismissed suggestions – circulating on social media – that the failed medical is related to a recent incident.
"This happened in 2015, when I had surgery. I aggravated again this [past] year in March, but it did not require surgery again – I was just sidelined for a few weeks."
He said he is not going back to the Sharks, after being released of the final year of his contract with the Durban-based franchise, and with the Lions door slammed shut, he now needs to look elsewhere.
"I am just spending time with my family and resting my knee.
"Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will know where I am heading."
He confirmed that he is looking abroad, amongst the options at his disposal.
"This thing with the Lions gave me a reality check, about how serious the knee injury is.
"I need to look at my future and set myself up for life after rugby."
Radebe, who is managed by Craig Livingstone of the LMG Group, said there is no specific team he is looking at, at the moment – just "general options".
He emphasised that he is fit enough to play, despite the high risky of aggravating the injury again.
Radebe said the Lions told him it is "risky" to sign a contract if there is a chance he could break down.
"It is risky," he told rugby365, adding: "[But] they don't want to take that risk. If I can't play they lose money."
The 23-year-old, who was schooled at St Stithians College in Johannesburg and played for the Golden Lions at national youth competitions since primary school level until 2013, has made 20-odd first-class appearances for the Sharks since his debut in 2015.
The Sharks, who also lost Springbok Patrick Lambie to Racing 92 in France, have signed Robert du Preez – the son of coach Robert du Preez senior – from the Stormers.
They have Curwin Bosch, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Du Preez listed as their flyhalves for in their provisional 2018 Super Rugby squad.
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
