LAMBIE GOOD TO GO
BIG BOOST: SHARKS FLYHALF FIT TO TAKE ON WALLABIES Coetzee reveals why Janse van Rensburg didn’t get a look-in.
After struggling with the side-effects of concussion for nearly three months, flyhalf Pat Lambie is ready to try and put the Springboks back on the winning path again.
Lambie was yesterday cleared to be considered for the Bok Rugby Championship Test against Australia at Loftus Versfeld this weekend and admitted it had been a battle since being concussed against Ireland at Newlands early in June.
“It had been a trauma, the concussion triggered frequent attacks of migraine,” Lambie said yesterday at the Bok hotel in Fourways.
“I found myself waking up in the mornings with migraine pains, sore eyes and experiencing a total lack of energy,” he said.
Lambie said excellent work from the medical staff saw his real self returning and after enjoying 34 minutes game time with the Sharks 10 days ago, he is good to go.
“I ticked all the boxes, and have been on a strenuous conditioning programme for the last four to six weeks and while I struggled with migraine, thankfully it’s over now. I’m definitely no concussion risk should I receive a hard knock again,” he said.
Bok coach Allister Coetzee, who laughed off suggestions that he supposedly send a confidential “SOS to Saru crying for help” in the form of new assistant coaches, said it’s great to see Lambie back.
“I told Pat he must tell me when he is ready confidence-wise. I can’t answer that question for myself, but I’m happy he is in good condition,” said Coetzee.
“I’m also happy to see Willie le Roux back, he enjoyed 80 minutes with his club last weekend.”
Coetzee also explained why he didn’t think the time was right to call up centres like Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Francois Venter up to the squad at this stage.
“I’m happy with our personnel. Jesse Kriel and Juan de Jongh have performed well, while we created two tries from turnovers the last time we played the Wallabies,” said Coetzee.
“Somebody like Rohan has been playing well and he will get his opportunity in time, but at this stage Damian de Allende offers us the same as what Rohan would have done.”
Coetzee said the team is going to work hard on fixing the mistakes which let them down while on tour Down Under.
“The mood in the camp is positive and we are looking forward to this weekend,” he said. “It hasn’t gone the way we planned, but there’s still a lot to play for and the objectives remain the same.’’
De Allende, Lwazi Mvovo and Malcolm Marx were released by the Boks yesterday and will be available for Currie Cup selection for this coming weekend.