Cape Town - Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie says fans shouldn't worry that he won't be able to pass the tactical test against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Lambie is renowned for his running prowess but the Sharks pivot feels he's more than capable as a tactical kicker as well.
"I think there are people who have a false perception that I only want to run with the ball. The fact is I always try and look for space. If it's behind my opponents, then I'll kick the ball," he told the Beeld website.
The 22-year-old will start only his second Test in the flyhalf position on Saturday after impressing Bok coach Heyneke Meyer in the last few rounds of the Currie Cup.
"At the Boks there is a focus on kicking and I've learnt a lot about the tactical aspects of the game this year - when to run with the ball and when to kick.
"I think I've grown as a player and will keep on trying to improve in that facet. You're never fully complete as a player," he said.
Lambie's replacement, Morné Steyn, has been picked on the bench and will be utilised by Meyer should the young Sharks pivot struggle in what is expected to be a tactical battle between the two sides.
The clash at the Aviva Stadium kicks off at 19:30 on Saturday.
Teams:
Ireland:
15 Simon Zebo, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 Chris Henry, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy
Substitutes: 16 - Sean Cronin, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 Iain Henderson, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Fergus McFadden
South Africa:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
Lambie is renowned for his running prowess but the Sharks pivot feels he's more than capable as a tactical kicker as well.
"I think there are people who have a false perception that I only want to run with the ball. The fact is I always try and look for space. If it's behind my opponents, then I'll kick the ball," he told the Beeld website.
The 22-year-old will start only his second Test in the flyhalf position on Saturday after impressing Bok coach Heyneke Meyer in the last few rounds of the Currie Cup.
"At the Boks there is a focus on kicking and I've learnt a lot about the tactical aspects of the game this year - when to run with the ball and when to kick.
"I think I've grown as a player and will keep on trying to improve in that facet. You're never fully complete as a player," he said.
Lambie's replacement, Morné Steyn, has been picked on the bench and will be utilised by Meyer should the young Sharks pivot struggle in what is expected to be a tactical battle between the two sides.
The clash at the Aviva Stadium kicks off at 19:30 on Saturday.
Teams:
Ireland:
15 Simon Zebo, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 Chris Henry, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy
Substitutes: 16 - Sean Cronin, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 Iain Henderson, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Fergus McFadden
South Africa:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23 Lwazi Mvovo