Sharks look ahead as Lambie returns to training
AFTER watching a classy flyhalf, and a very close relative, dismantle his team on the weekend, there must have been some joy yesterday for coach Robert du Preez when Pat Lambie joined a modified field training session with the rest of the team.
Lambie is still making his way back from, first, a concussion, and then a discovered post concussion syndrome, after clashing with CJ Stander in the first Bok Test of the year. There has been no formal return to play date, but his presence is desperately required at Springbok level.
It will be interesting to see how he makes his way back to full fitness, but the feeling is that he should wear black and white before green and gold.
Despite the positive news of Lambie’s return, the Sharks still had to taste defeat for the first time this season. But it is not the first time that the coach’s son has forced that bitter medicine on to his father.
Last year, in the same competition at Kings Park, Robert du Preez jr also masterminded a Province win in this coastal derby with a flawless kicking display off the tee.
“Very happy for Rob,” a father said of his first born.
Du Preez senior has always said he was a father first and would not begrudge one of his son’s a stellar performance regardless if it costs him a win. “It is like history repeats itself, every time I have coached against him, he has won, but I am very happy for him.”
It would probably be a bit of a stretch to say that the family feud motivates the young flyhalf to play better, but evidentially, Du Preez jr has been at the top of his game against his dad.
“I don’t know if it motivates him more, playing against me, but it works!” the coach said with a smile.
Putting aside, the family aspect, Du Preez admitted that the error rate of his team was not something he was proud of.
“We were disappointed,” the coach sighed at the end of the match.
“We were never in the game in the first half, and we got lucky to get back, and to be ahead at half time. That is the story of the evening.”
The errors are to be expected, but not excused, with the type of rugby that the Sharks are playing at the moment. For the coach, he is steadfastly sticking to their ball in hand play, believing it is the right direction for the young team.
“We are not going to go away from the way we want to play, we want to play with ball in hand,” Du Preez stated clearly.
“We had opportunities, but we couldn’t look after the ball, we got outplayed and out-passioned.”
In other injury news, Daniel du Preez has also resumed field training, but is not quite ready for selection.
Tera Mtembu, who hurt his knee against Boland, will be out for six weeks with an MCL sprain. Stephan Lewies has also returned to training after his hamstring tweak while Coenie Oosthuizen is expected back in eight weeks, and Cobus Reinach in February next year after an ACL injury in Super Rugby.