Before 24-year-old April, who arrived at the Sharks via the Lions, Boland, Western Province and a spell in Western Cape club rugby, was thrust into the pivot position for the matches against the Highlanders and the Chiefs, the Sharks were so desperate for Lambie to return that you could have imagined him being thrust straight back into a starting role once he was even remotely fit.
Journeyman Joe Pietersen did a good job on occasion at flyhalf, but he is a better fullback, and far more limited at pivot than April is.
Although the Sharks are still largely playing a percentage game, and should be expected to continue to do so against the skillful Hurricanes, it has been noticeable that since April has been in the saddle, the Sharks have been more prepared to try things off 10.
His contribution in his first match as a starter against the Highlanders was mainly his accurate goalkicking under pressure, but against the Chiefs last time out he also scored a superb individualistic try that should have significantly boosted his confidence.
He must know that Lambie will be back in the starting team sooner rather than later, but he says he’s determined to make the most of his opportunity.
“I am just glad I had opportunities on tour to show what I can do. It was not easy to take the step up after such a long time on the sidelines, but I had been told by the coaches that my chance would come at some stage, and when it did it was up to me to make the most of it,” said April.
“I have always known that I wanted a career in rugby, so it was a case of just doing what I have loved doing since I started playing the game at the age of 12. I have learned to be patient, and having to wait my turn in New Zealand made me appreciate the opportunity when it came all the more.”
After a solid performance against Toulouse in a pre-season friendly, there were many who thought April might start the first Super Rugby match of the season against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth at the end of February.
However, he was made to bide his time behind Pietersen, and no-one will ever know whether that was a missed opportunity for the Sharks or clever management from the coaches.
For while April did impress in the pre-season, he has struggled up to now to nail down a permanent starting position in the senior team of any of the unions he has played for.
He played just a few Vodacom Cup games for WP and Boland, and the Lions never held onto him after he spent his final school year and his age-group apprenticeship there.
What can’t be denied or ignored though is that April has made improvements in several important aspects of flyhalf play.
