Cape Town - Patrick Lambie has admitted he's getting tired of warming the bench for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.

The 21-year-old Shark, who can play either fullback or flyhalf, has been forced to play second fiddle to No 15 Zane Kirchner in South Africa's last three Tests against Argentina and Australia.

“I’m desperate for some game time. I’ve been training hard, as hard if not harder than the guys that have been starting to try and get into the starting XV," he told the supersport.com website.

"I’m hoping and looking forward to some more game time and making the most of my opportunity. If I get a chance to get on the field I will be doing all that I can to impress the coach and other players.

“It was really nice to get on the field against Australia (in the 26-19 loss in Perth last week). I sat on the bench for the other two games and didn’t get on, which was very disappointing and a bit frustrating so it was nice to get on albeit for 10 minutes."

Lambie, who boasts 14 international caps, said that he doesn't mind where he plays as long as he is starting.

“I’ve had an ankle injury so I’ve played all of 10 minutes of rugby in the last six weeks and before that 80 minutes in the last 10 weeks so I’m feeling fresh and raring to go.

“I just want to be in the starting line-up so whether that is at fullback or flyhalf I don’t mind at the moment. It would have been really nice to have got some game time at flyhalf against Argentina but, in saying that, if I get time at fullback this weekend that will be great too,” he explained.

The Springboks are currently second on the Rugby Championship log with one win, a draw and a loss from three games.

They next take on the All Blacks at the indoor Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday. Kick-off is at 09:35 (SA time).