White plays peekaboo over Lambie return

Contrary to what Sharks director of rugby Jake White has been saying with regard to Patrick Lambie's readiness, Frans Steyn looks set to start at flyhalf against the Highlanders on Saturday.

White has been dropping hints about Lambie's availability to start, but all indications are that he will bring him off the bench.

The Sharks have missed his creativity and flair in the flyhalf channel, but Steyn has offered them solidness, even though his tactical kicking has veered from the sublime to the ridiculous.

It has won the Sharks games in which they had no business competing, but has also been their downfall, with defeats to the Cheetahs, Bulls and Brumbies being examples of ineffective execution of the kicking game.

Steyn, along with the dropped Tim Swiel, was guilty of kicking away too much possession in the 34-18 home defeat to the Highlanders in April.

But Steyn, along with his booming boot, was at the heart of the Sharks' stirring win against the Crusaders and the Blues.

Lambie's match fitness has been an issue since the resumption of the Super 15. He had a bicep injury that kept him out of action since the 23-19 loss to the Bulls on March 22, when he came off in the sixth minute of a highly physical encounter at Loftus.

Lambie has been training with the team and taking part in sessions, but at Tuesday's training he was on the sidelines.

How he will fare in the time given to him on Saturday will be of special importance to the Sharks, especially if they win their qualifier, for it will book them a rematch against the Crusaders in Christchurch next week.

He could be one of the fresher players in a Sharks team with plenty of rugby mileage.

Centre-cum-wing JP Pietersen, who was on the receiving end of a serious head clash with Stormers No8 Duane Vermeulen, was a keen spectator.

Another doubt is livewire scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who was a late withdrawal from the starting 15 that beat the Stormers 34-10 last week.

Charl McLeod, who will play what could be his last match for the Sharks at King's Park, is set to continue in the No 9 jersey after an impressive display at Newlands.

One notable absentee could be Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira, who did not take part in the training session.

TV Highlights

Today

Cricket: First Test, day 2, Sri Lanka vs South Africa at 6.30am on SS2/CSN; second Test, day 1, England vs India from Lord's at noon on SS7

Cycling: Tour de France, stage 12 at 2.05pm on SS6

Golf: Open Championship from Royal Liverpool at 10am on SS1

Rugby: Craven Week, Namibia vs Border CD at 10am, Boland vs Griquas at 11.25am, Falcons vs Leopards at 12.45pm, Bulls vs Lions at 2.05pm and EP vs Free State at 3.25pm, all on SS8

Tennis: German Open at noon on SS5