Lambie moves into senior role

Durban - He may not want to admit it, but Pat Lambie is a much wiser rugby player now than he was ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

He is in line to start Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Durban, and if he does so at flyhalf inside the centre pairing of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, the 24-year-old will be in the rare position of being by far the most experienced player in the Bok midfield.

“If you call me an experienced player that’s great, so thanks very much for that, but like the coach said there are a lot of young players who have put their hands up as well,” said Lambie.

“I’ve learnt in rugby that nothing is ever a guarantee or a certainty. A lot can change in a very short period of time. Both in 2011 and this year the goal and the dream has been to make that World Cup squad and represent South Africa and play for the Springboks in the World Cup... that means a lot of hard work so I don’t think much has changed in that regard.

“I guess in 2011 I had four or five caps whereas now I have 40-odd so I guess that’s the only change, really.”

Lambie has now fully recovered from the neck injury that kept him out of the second half of the Super Rugby season, but he says his positive approach to the game during that time has left him in a better position now.

“Injuries are always very frustrating. There is never a good time to be injured and sitting on the sideline is the worst place to be. But I’ve tried to take full advantage of the time I’ve had on the side,” he said.

“There’s still a lot I can do conditioning wise, working hard in the gym… and I guess I feel mentally fresh as well and hungrier and more ready to go than ever before. So I’ve tried to turn it into a positive situation.”

Bok coach Heyneke Meyer will announce his side for the clash at Kings Park on Wednesday.