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Cape Town - The Springboks will be without flyhalf Patrick Lambie for next weekend’s clash against Ireland in Johannesburg.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee confirmed the news following Saturday’s 26-20 loss to Ireland at Newlands in what was his first match in charge.
A motionless Lambie was taken off on a stretcher in the 22nd minute after he had been clattered by a late challenge from Ireland flank CJ Stander.
Stander’s upper leg smashed into Lambie’s head and while the result was a red card for the South African-born loose forward, Coetzee must now find a replacement for Lambie.
“Pat is out,” Coetzee said.
“It’s a concussion … so it could be two weeks.
“They did X-Rays on his neck and that’s okay.”
Coetzee is hopeful that Lambie will be available for the third Test in Port Elizabeth, but there is a good chance that he won't be.
Elton Jantjies replaced Lambie on Saturday and is the obvious option to start at Ellis Park, but Coetzee must now decide who the flyhalf cover off the bench will be.
Garth April was in the original 31-man Springbok squad and was considered the third-choice flyhalf, but his struggling performance for the SA ‘A’ side in their loss to the England Saxons in Bloemfontein on Friday night may prompt Coetzee to look elsewhere.
Whether or not he goes overseas – Johan Goosen is one option – remains to be seen.
“No, not yet,” Coetzee said when asked whether he had thought about who Lambie’s replacement will be.”
