Lambie returns
Sharks flyhalf straight back into Bok set-up after threemonth lay-off
IT SHOULDN’T come as too big a surprise to see Pat Lambie back with the Springboks, especially after coach Allister Coetzee said heads would roll after losing three games on the trot in the Rugby Championship.
Clearly now, Elton Jantjies’ time is up at the Test level, with Lambie a proven and successful pivot option for the Boks.
The Lions star has failed thus far to replicate his superb Super Rugby form at the highest level; however, Lambie’s inclusion is not the final death knell for him – just yet.
The Sharks flyhalf is still tentatively making his way back from a horrific concussion, playing a small role for the Sharks against the Kings last Saturday after months on the sideline.
Coach Coetzee is still keeping the player’s safety as key concern as he approaches his reintegration with care.
“Pat has been included in the squad so that our medical and conditioning team can get first-hand feedback,” Coetzee explained.
“We want to ascertain his readiness and confidence for international rugby or whether he rather needs to play another match in the Currie Cup for the Sharks.”
Lambie is not the only newcomer back to the Boks, Coetzee has also hauled back Willie le Roux who was happily plying his trade for his Japanese club.
The mercurial fullback was supposedly being rested by Coet- zee over the Rugby Championship, but the fact that he was playing in Japan, and now has been called up with no injury crisis at fullback, makes one wonder about Coetzee’s word.
Le Roux’s inclusion may also be a hint towards Jantjies becoming surplus with Johan Goosen also very comfortable playing flyhalf.
Goosen was primarily used as a flyhalf in his handful of caps before this recall, but since then he has played a lot of his rugby at centre for Racing Metro in France.
Also returning, but this time from injury, are Julian Redelinghuys and Lood de Jager.
Redelinghuys’s reintroduction sees Sharks tighthead Lourens Adriaanse back at his province, much to the delight of Sharks fans all round.
“Although the results have not gone our way so far in the campaign, I think it will be good to keep the current squad together so that we can build continuity,” said Coetzee.
“It’s great to have players with the experience of Pat and Willie back in the squad. The same goes for Julian and Lood, both of whom have played very well for us this year and will add something to the pack.”
The Bok squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday to begin preparations for their clash with the Wallabies on October 1, in Pretoria.