Pat is ready to fly

20 September 2016 - 09:37 By CRAIG RAY

Following Saturday's 41-13 defeat against the All Blacks, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee stated that he cannot simply change players if there are no better alternatives available. Coetzee did not mention specific positions but it doesn't take a rugby sage to acknowledge that Bok halfbacks Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies aren't cutting it at Test level.But until a week ago, the coach had almost zero viable options.Now, though, he does have at least one option.Sharks flyhalf and 51-Test veteran Lambie came through his first rugby match in three months unscathed and should immediately be called up to the Springbok squad for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.Lambie came off the bench during the Sharks' 53-0 Currie Cup win over the EP Kings on Saturday, in a downpour, and appeared no worse for wear at the end.The 25-year-old suffered severe concussion while playing for the Boks in the first Test against Ireland at Newlands on June 11 and took a long time to overcome symptoms of the injury.Lambie had to go through World Rugby's strict concussion protocols stage by stage.He is now ready, although a bit rusty.Considering the Sharks have a bye this weekend, if Coetzee were to call Lambie back into the Bok squad, the flyhalf would come into the Test against Australia at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on October 1 with fewer than 20 minutes of rugby in 15 weeks.It's not an ideal scenario but the Boks aren't in a position of strength after losing three of their four Rugby Championship matches.They have also only won three of seven Tests this year.Coetzee has doggedly stuck with flyhalf Jantjies and scrumhalf De Klerk even though he could have started with either Morné Steyn or Johan Goosen in the No10 channel in the past few weeks.The coach could also have gambled on Rudy Paige or François Hougaard at scrumhalf.With little left to lose, Coetzee needs to make some calculated gambles for the Loftus match.The Boks desperately need a win and sticking with a losing team and expecting a different outcome would be naïve.Lambie would bring experience, calm and superior tactical awareness to the position - something that Jantjies has lacked.Sharks coach Robert du Preez said he would talk to Coetzee about his intentions for Lambie in the coming weeks. "We need to speak to SA Rugby and see what their plans are... I am very happy for Pat. " - TMG Digital..

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