Will it be Pollard or Lambie?

‘WHAT I really like about him is he never panics ... he’s very level-headed. He was brilliant in the wet conditions. He is not a natural flyhalf but he is great seeing space and playing players into it. His goal-kicking was very good.”

What more would a rugby coach want from his No 10? It’s decided then, Pat Lambie will be the Springboks’ first choice flyhalf at the World Cup kicking off in England in a months’ time.

That’s certainly how many will feel after the Sharks man’s measured performance – his first start of the season – against Argentina in Beunos Aires on Saturday.

The above quote is from November 2012. It’s national coach Heyneke Meyer speaking to the press after the final game of the tour of Europe, a trip where Lambie started all three Tests against Ireland, Scotland and England, and playing a big role in all three thanks mainly to his accurate goal-kicking.

Meyer’s opinion of Lambie shouldn’t have changed much since that day, but the reality is Handré Pollard has emerged on the scene and become Meyer’s first choice No10 ... or, has he?

It would seem Meyer has an extremely tough decision to make about his flyhalf going into the World Cup, but the good news – and how Meyer needs some of that – is that at least the Boks will have two No 10s who’re good enough to wear the jersey at any time, against any opponent.

We so often talk about the great position Steve Hansen is in with the All Blacks – having Dan Carter, Beauden Barratt, Lima Sopoaga, Colin Slade and Aaron Cruden to pick from – but, for once, there are also options for Meyer.

It’s just a pity he didn’t give Elton Jantjies a run in the last six weeks as well; if only to have a look at what the Lions man can offer.

But the fact is with Pollard and Lambie the first choices for the No 10 jersey, the Boks are in good hands.

Pollard is still young and makes mistakes, but he’s fearless and powerful and likes taking on the opposition. In Lambie, Meyer has a “banker”, a player who won’t power his way past a defender, but he’ll hardly make mistakes, he’ll kick well and he’ll take good options.

They’re quite different players – but that’s what you want – and with Morné Steyn waiting in the wings and a player who’s surprisingly not featured for some time, the Boks look okay at flyhalf.

It’s at least one position where whoever plays, there won’t be too much disagreement.

The big question though is: When it comes to crunch time in a few weeks’ time, will it be Pollard or Lambie?