Tinus de Beer is relishing the renewed competition for the number 10 jersey as Cardiff approach the 2024-25 season.
The fly-half played more than anyone else last season, featuring in all 22 of the Blue & Blacks’ fixtures but despite the South African’s impressive durability and performances, it was a far from ideal situation.
Matt Sherratt has moved to strengthen his fly-half resources with the signing of Callum Sheedy from Bristol and Rory Jennings from Newcastle, who can also slot into the number 10 jersey, while Ben Thomas has played there for Wales this summer.
And while De Beer now has plenty of competition, it is something that was required and he is looking forward to improving both individually and collectively.
He said: “I said it a while back, Callum coming in and Rory stepping up and you see Ben Thomas now at the Wales at 10, it’s just moulding us as players and I think if we can just help each other out, give good advice.
“Competition is good if it's just healthy competition. So pushing each other into being a better individual and better rugby player, that's obviously what we strive for.
“So I’m really looking forward to the season playing with Callum and with Rory and like I said with Benny. Let’s get the season started.”
De Beer’s impressive debut campaign at Cardiff Arms Park earned the fly-half, the Players’ Player and Fans’ Player of the Season awards in June.
Now, after having a summer break and a pre-season to prepare rather than rolling straight from a Currie Cup season to the BKT United Rugby Championship, he is hoping to kick on.
He continued: “It feels like a while back but it's actually just a few weeks back. Like I said earlier it's good to get all those awards and just gives affirmation to myself that the guys I'm playing with and the guys I'm spending some time with at CAP think that you're doing your job and doing it well.
“So yeah, a good season past and behind us. So it's all cracking on getting into this new season, a lot of new faces, a lot of new players.
“The whole year was pretty tough because I just came off from Pumas where we had a 19 game season and with the Currie Cup, the season is week in, week out, so there's no off weeks in between.
“So it was a long season. I'm glad to have all the minutes behind me. I said when I started here I wanted to be on the field as much as possible to try and grow as a player. I'm grateful to have that behind me and I can step up and try to make 2025 a big season.”
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