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Cape Town - The road to recovery continues for Pat Lambie following the sickening head knock he received against Ireland in Cape Town back on June 11.
It has been over two-and-a-half months since that late hit from CJ Stander saw the Springbok flyhalf stretchered off at Newlands, and he hasn't played since.
The news from Sharks management is that Lambie has started training again and that he will be eased slowly back into contact.
Just when he will make his return is uncertain, but in the meantime there is another playmaker quietly going about his business in Durban.
He comes in the form of 21-year-old Inny Radebe, who is enjoying a breakthrough season at King's Park.
Radebe, schooled at St Stithians in Johannesburg, has started the last three Currie Cup matches for the Sharks in the No 10 jersey with the Durbanites having romped to the top of the standings with four wins from four.
And, Radebe says, Lambie has played a major role in getting him to this point.
"I've looked up to Pat since I was about 15 or 16 years old and to be rubbing shoulders with him is greatly beneficial for my career," Radebe said.
"Pat has played a big part in mentoring me. If there's something I'm unsure about or if I make a mistake I will go straight to him.
"He's played a big part in helping me ease into senior rugby."
Radebe is effectively keeping Garth April out of the side at the moment and there is no doubt that he is taking his chance.
Having played in back-to-back Craven Weeks, Radebe looks to have a good head on his shoulders, a good kicking game and the ability to do the basics well.
"Not having the kicking responsibilities at the moment is also taking the weight off my shoulders," Radebe said, referring to the fact that fullback Curwin Bosch has been tasked with goal kicking.
"I'm glad that I had the chance to go through the junior ranks ... it helped me mature a lot quicker. I really am enjoying it. It's nice to have a couple of older guys to help me when I make mistakes."
Radebe hoped to break into the Super Rugby setup in 2016, but had to be patient as April impressed in the absence of Lambie and Joe Pietersen.
"I got a few injuries that held me back ... but just to be able to get my break in Currie Cup now is something that I really am enjoying and hopefully I can use this Currie Cup to build myself for next year's Super Rugby," Radebe said.
The Sharks are in Cape Town this weekend where they are set to tackle Western Province in a match that will provide another stern test of Radebe's mettle.
"Four out of four is a good start for us in the competition, but we know that means nothing in the bigger picture," he said.
"Western Province haven't had the best of starts so they will come hard at us."
