By virtue of being named Sharks captain for the 2017 Super Rugby season‚ Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie has thrown his hat in the ring for the national team's captaincy.
The 26-year-old pivot was the first-choice captain last season before injury again waylaid him.
Last season a shoulder injury against Toulon in a pre-season match kept him out for 12 weeks while the CJ Stander collision in the first test against Ireland at Newlands in June saw him suffer concussion that ruled him out for more than two months.
Lambie did make his Springbok comeback during the end of the year tour but looked a yard off the pace.
With Handre Pollard also in line to assume the Bulls Super Rugby captaincy‚ it seems there will be a straight shoot-out between the two talented flyhalves for the treasured Bok captaincy vacated by the retired Adriaan Strauss.
Sharks Super Rugby coach Robert du Preez said Lambie's temperament and ability to remain calm will be important for a young and dynamic side.
“Pat’s talent‚ temperament and outstanding character makes him an automatic choice‚" Du Preez said.
"He’s a natural leader‚ who provides great inspiration and motivation for our young players and he has all the qualities needed to be a great captain.
"He has supported this team all his life and understands our unique culture‚ which has been built on the emphasis of a strong work ethic.
"Pat puts in the hard yards‚ leads by example and has the respect and backing of everyone around him.” - TMG Digital
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