Lambie returned to training with the Boks in Fourways on Monday morning, shaking off the effects of almost three months on the sidelines after he was concussed in the first test against Ireland back in June.
And while he has had 35 minutes of rugby with the Sharks where he looked rusty, both he and Springbok coach Allister Coetzee pronounced him fit and ready to return to international rugby this weekend.
Perhaps the most telling comment came from Coetzee himself, who underlined the importance of Lambie and the fact that he is definitely part of the plans this coming weekend.
But while many may have considered Lambie’s road back to include a stint for the Sharks this weekend, the Boks obviously believe he is much more needed in their plans and thus will add not only experience but also leadership in a team that has been searching for it in the past few matches.
Lambie is likely to be in the match 23, but at this stage it is still questionable whether Coetzee would rush him back into the starting role he occupied at the beginning of the season or whether he would put him on the bench as a precursor to a return against the All Blacks in a week’s time.
At this stage it looks much more likely that Morne Steyn might start in the 10 jersey and that Elton Jantjies’ performances overseas will have cost him his place in the match 23.
Coetzee wouldn’t be drawn into this, but did talk about second chances “having consequences” if they weren’t taken. It seems the coach’s patience might finally have run out with some of the players.
Still, he was happy to bring Lambie back into the fold and said the Sharks pivot would make a vital contribution this weekend.
“Pat is here, he isn’t injured and he has played for the Sharks. To me it was always a question of Pat letting me know when he was 100 per cent. As soon as you are cleared and have that confidence back – I can’t give him the confidence,” Coetzee said.
“But it is great to have Pat back, he is an experienced player in the squad and part of the leadership group. He will be part of the plans going forward this weekend in terms of selection.”
Lambie underscored his own belief that he is ready for test rugby again, and reiterated that he had been cleared by a group of doctors, and thus saw no problems with the return this week.
