Charles Radebe
# Charles Radebe

Charles Roger Radebe (born 16 December 1995) is a South African professional rugby union player who most recently playing for the SWD Eagles. He usually plays on the wing.

## Rugby career

### 2013–2014 : Schools and Under-19 rugby

Radebe first earned a provincial selection in 2013, when he represented the George-based SWD Eagles at the Under-18 Academy Week held at Glenwood High School in Durban. He helped his side to victories in all three their matches, scoring a try in their 32–7 victory over Eastern Province in their final match. He was also included in the SWD U19 squad that played in the 2013 Under-19 Provincial Championship, starting their final two matches of the regular season, as well as their 24–29 semi-final defeat to Falcons U19 in Vanderbijlpark.

He again represented SWD U19 in the 2014 Under-19 Provincial Championship. He didn't play in their first match, but featured in their remaining six matches, starting five of those. He got his first tries at this level, scoring in a 17–32 defeat to Griffons U19 in his second appearance and in a 60–5 victory over Border U19. SWD failed to qualify for the semi-finals, however, finishing in sixth position on the log.

### 2015 : SWD Eagles

Despite still being in the Under-20 age group, Radebe was included in the SWD Eagles' squad for their 2015 Currie Cup qualification campaign. He made his first class debut by starting in a 28-all draw against the Boland Cavaliers in George in Round Four of the competition and made further starts in their remaining two matches against the Border Bulldogs and Griquas. The SWD Eagles finished bottom of the log, therefore failing to progress to the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division, instead qualifying to the First Division. Radebe started four of their five matches during the First Division regular season, which saw an upturn in fortunes for his side, winning four and losing one match, with Radebe scoring his first senior try in their only defeat against the Leopards and a hat-trick of tries in their 57–14 victory over the Boland Cavaliers. The SWD Eagles finished in third position on the log to qualify for a semi-final tie against the Griffons. Radebe started this match and scored another try to help his side to a 47–40 victory to qualify for the final. He also started their final against the Leopards, but could not help his side to glory, with the team from Potchefstroom winning 44–20 to clinch the First Division title. Radebe's five tries made him the SWD Eagles' top scorer in the competition and joint-second overall behind the Leopards' Juan Language.

### 2016–present : Southern Kings

At the start of 2016, Radebe was named in the NMMU Madibaz squad for the 2016 Varsity Cup before playing in friendly matches for the SWD Eagles against Super Rugby sides the Stormers and the Southern Kings. Shortly after those matches, he joined the Kings for a trial period and a week later, he was included on the bench for the Port Elizabeth-based Super Rugby franchise's opening match of the 2016 Super Rugby season against the Sharks.

