The Bulls and the Sharks might be cursing their luck at losing Victor Matfield and Pat Lambie for lengthy periods. But Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will be silently pleased. Meyer would never publicly welcome injury news, but in a World Cup year he can take solace in two of his prized assets being given time to recover.Matfield is crucial to the Springboks' cause due to his prowess in the lineout, an essential part of the game plan. Before round seven, 66 of the 166 tries scored in Super rugby started from lineouts.A four-week rest for Matfield, who will undergo a knee scope to clear some cartilage, spares him from exposure to further potential injury. And, at 38, Matfield could probably do with the break.With the other two Springbok No 5 candidates - Lood de Jager (elbow) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (knee) - on the long-term injury list, Matfield's health is vital to the long-term Bok cause.Lambie has been ruled out for six weeks with a neck injury sustained during last week's 52-10 loss to the Crusaders.Lambie has already amassed 93 points in this year's Super rugby campaign and boasted a 77.5% success rate when kicking for the posts. His partnership with the Bulls' Handré Pollard has been one of the few bright spots for South African teams in a tournament that has so far been a disappointing one...