Lambie gives Sharks X-factor

Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold has often missed out on the luxury of selection headaches due to Super Rugby’s high injury rate this season. 

But with key pivot and captain Pat Lambie set to make his comeback this weekend after a 12-week lay-off due to a shoulder injury, Gold has the unwelcome task of finding a way to phase in the 50-capped Springbok without disturbing the team’s current synergy.

While the Sharks have proved to be a more than capable defensive unit, they have shown little attacking imagination.

Former Springbok flyhalf Hennie le Roux said Gold’s task will not be easy, especially with Garth April’s form being an unexpected bonus.

With Andre Esterhuizen not inspiring any confidence as a multi-skilled inside centre, Le Roux likes the idea of April and Lambie being used as a 10-12 combination.

“It probably would not be a bad call because most of the important plays and the runs are made from the number 10 channel. The ability to play around and off the number 10 is crucial, but Lambie brings something to the Sharks side that gives them a lot of confidence.

“Whether it’s his calmness, his raw ability and how he adapts to match situations, he just gives them a confidence they don’t seem to have at the moment,” said Le Roux.

“There’s no question that the injection of Lambie into the Sharks unit will be of great benefit for them. It’s also about the comfort with decision-making in the pivotal halfback positions, and that’s where I think the Sharks have missed him the most. He’ll bring a different dimension in that department, especially in the attack where they have been lacking.”

Former Springbok and Sharks centre Gcobani Bobo supports the call of having an April-Lambie 10-12.

He feels the Sharks missed a glorious opportunity to blood April early in the tournament when they faced inferior sides like the Southern Kings and the Jaguares.

Whether Gold decides to head down the Lambie-April avenue for Saturday’s key clash against the Hurricanes remains to be seen. After all, the Sharks have chosen the safety first option for the best part of their 2016 campaign.

“We know what Lambie brings to the table with his all-round package and his leadership. With him back, there’s an opportunity to use two pivots but the timing of that is very important. When the game opens up in the second half, that would be the best time to implement that. However, the Sharks also have Willie le Roux whom they can use as an extra runner in the playmaking channels,” said Bobo.

“The guidance Lambie could give to April is immense and the potential for an excellent partnership is there.”