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Gary Boshoff
In 2006 Frans Steyn burst onto the South African rugby scene with a number of outstanding performances for the Sharks and ended up with a Rugby World Cup-winning medal the following year.
Then, after one season in the Currie Cup competition, Heinrich Brussouw forced his way into the Springbok side that made history in 2009 when they won the Test series against the British & Irish Lions and the Tri-Nations.
In 2010, South Africa’s latest rugby protégé Patrick Lambie, signalled his arrival in top flight rugby with almost faultless performances in both the Super 14 and Currie Cup competitions.
Like Lambie, Brussouw was considered by many to be too small (especially after Jake White’s obsession with size) and inexperienced to be selected for the Springboks this early in his career. Nevertheless, Peter de Villiers saw a different potential in Brussouw and after his selection went on to play a pivotal role in the Springboks’ success in the Tri-Nations and against the British & Irish Lions.
Though small in size, Lambie has shown that he makes up for that “shortcoming” with an oversupply of guts and a very cool head.
Though only 19-years-old, Lambie demonstrates a remarkable maturity in decision-making under pressure, spatial awareness and the ability to “read the game” – characteristics unique to what Millin Pietersen (former SARU coach) called “natural footballers”.
While many might consider him still too inexperienced to gain selection for the Springboks, he will certainly gain more than enough experience during the 2010 Currie Cup and 2011 Super Rugby competitions to be ready for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He should also be a certainty for the year-end tour to the UK and Ireland.
As someone who has shown that he is forward-looking, I am sure that De Villiers has already pencilled Lambie’s name in for the year-end tour and if his performance curve continues skywards he will be a definite candidate for the 2011 World Cup squad.
Australia is one country that has consistently recognised talent irrespective of the player’s age.
James O’Connor, who turned 20 last month, is already playing in his second season for the Wallabies! Back in 1989, Jason Little and Tim Horan both made their debuts for the Wallabies as 19-year-olds – and it is a well-known fact that they went on to become arguably the best centre pairing of all time.
De Villiers and the Springbok selectors should recognise Lambie’s extraordinary talent while it is fresh and the player is still hungry to become a professional sportsman and to represent his country at the same time. His introduction into the Springbok culture should not be delayed.
There is however another concern: let’s hope that the youngster doesn’t fall prey to the whims and wishes of coaches who think they always know what’s best for their players.
Rugby fans would certainly not want Lambie to go the same route as Brent Russell, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Peter Grant and many others who were forced to become utility backs while they desperately wanted to specialise in their favourite position.
Lambie has gone on record that all he wants to do is play and that he doesn’t have any real preferential positions presently. While this is a very nice situation for the Sharks, it could backfire for South Africa when Lambie will eventually be required to do duty for his country.
It is therefore imperative that Sharks coach John Plumtree, Lambie and De Villiers sit down to discuss an immediate development trajectory for Lambie. The sooner they agree on a preferred position for him the better for all parties, especially Lambie himself.
South African rugby cannot afford to see a talent such as Lambie’s unrealised or go to waste because of indecision as to what his best position is. When he plays against the best in the world he needs to be the very best he can be and not just good or talented enough to play for the Springboks.
If he is not allowed to specialise he will remain a talented all-rounder and before you know it he too will be on his way to the lucrative European leagues.
Gary Boshoff is a former SARU player and current Afrikaans rugby commentator on SuperSport.
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
In 2006 Frans Steyn burst onto the South African rugby scene with a number of outstanding performances for the Sharks and ended up with a Rugby World Cup-winning medal the following year.
Then, after one season in the Currie Cup competition, Heinrich Brussouw forced his way into the Springbok side that made history in 2009 when they won the Test series against the British & Irish Lions and the Tri-Nations.
In 2010, South Africa’s latest rugby protégé Patrick Lambie, signalled his arrival in top flight rugby with almost faultless performances in both the Super 14 and Currie Cup competitions.
Like Lambie, Brussouw was considered by many to be too small (especially after Jake White’s obsession with size) and inexperienced to be selected for the Springboks this early in his career. Nevertheless, Peter de Villiers saw a different potential in Brussouw and after his selection went on to play a pivotal role in the Springboks’ success in the Tri-Nations and against the British & Irish Lions.
Though small in size, Lambie has shown that he makes up for that “shortcoming” with an oversupply of guts and a very cool head.
Though only 19-years-old, Lambie demonstrates a remarkable maturity in decision-making under pressure, spatial awareness and the ability to “read the game” – characteristics unique to what Millin Pietersen (former SARU coach) called “natural footballers”.
While many might consider him still too inexperienced to gain selection for the Springboks, he will certainly gain more than enough experience during the 2010 Currie Cup and 2011 Super Rugby competitions to be ready for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He should also be a certainty for the year-end tour to the UK and Ireland.
As someone who has shown that he is forward-looking, I am sure that De Villiers has already pencilled Lambie’s name in for the year-end tour and if his performance curve continues skywards he will be a definite candidate for the 2011 World Cup squad.
Australia is one country that has consistently recognised talent irrespective of the player’s age.
James O’Connor, who turned 20 last month, is already playing in his second season for the Wallabies! Back in 1989, Jason Little and Tim Horan both made their debuts for the Wallabies as 19-year-olds – and it is a well-known fact that they went on to become arguably the best centre pairing of all time.
De Villiers and the Springbok selectors should recognise Lambie’s extraordinary talent while it is fresh and the player is still hungry to become a professional sportsman and to represent his country at the same time. His introduction into the Springbok culture should not be delayed.
There is however another concern: let’s hope that the youngster doesn’t fall prey to the whims and wishes of coaches who think they always know what’s best for their players.
Rugby fans would certainly not want Lambie to go the same route as Brent Russell, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Peter Grant and many others who were forced to become utility backs while they desperately wanted to specialise in their favourite position.
Lambie has gone on record that all he wants to do is play and that he doesn’t have any real preferential positions presently. While this is a very nice situation for the Sharks, it could backfire for South Africa when Lambie will eventually be required to do duty for his country.
It is therefore imperative that Sharks coach John Plumtree, Lambie and De Villiers sit down to discuss an immediate development trajectory for Lambie. The sooner they agree on a preferred position for him the better for all parties, especially Lambie himself.
South African rugby cannot afford to see a talent such as Lambie’s unrealised or go to waste because of indecision as to what his best position is. When he plays against the best in the world he needs to be the very best he can be and not just good or talented enough to play for the Springboks.
If he is not allowed to specialise he will remain a talented all-rounder and before you know it he too will be on his way to the lucrative European leagues.
Gary Boshoff is a former SARU player and current Afrikaans rugby commentator on SuperSport.
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
