What an interesting few months we have ahead of us. After only two rounds of Super Rugby already some players are getting big question marks behind their names while others’ stars are on the rise.
The World Cup is still some way off, but national coach Heyneke Meyer will almost certainly be keeping an eye on proceedings and he’s sure to be troubled by the form of some of his “bankers”. Others though, like Pat Lambie, are already pushing hard for a tick behind their names.
Lambie was one of the star players in round two and if he continues to produce the kind of rugby we saw in the wet conditions in Durban last Saturday, Meyer will have no choice but install him as the first choice Springbok flyhalf in England in September and October.
Sure, the Sharks’ victory over the Lions was orchestrated up front, but Lambie was the general at the back and played a huge role in his team’s triumph.
His goal-kicking was good in the conditions, but it was his general play that stood out. His option-taking was exactly what Meyer wants in a flyhalf – he just knew when to run it and when to kick. And, it was that tactical kicking that really undid the Lions – something the national coach has lamented from our flyhalves for some time now.
Lambie ensured his side played in the right areas of the field and, summing up the conditions very quickly, kicked more than he usually would and what a treat it was to see him go about his business.
With Morné Steyn and Johan Goosen in France – and not really in the Bok frame in the last year – and Marnitz Boshoff struggling at the Lions and Handré Pollard also not in the match-winning, or game-defining, form we expected of him, it’s a no-brainer at this stage: Lambie’s the man for the World Cup.
Meyer’s always been praiseworthy of the little Sharks man, but he’s also had a soft spot for Pollard and even Steyn, but if he ever needed proof Lambie’s the right choice to back to the World Cup it was on Saturday.
The one senior star who seems to be copping the most flak is Victor Matfield, and rightly so. He’s been a far cry from the man who Meyer is banking on in the second row, but one’s got to wonder if he’s holding back, knowing full well how important it is to stay fit this year.
If he is holding back for the Bulls then it would be best to not play him ... because right now Frans Ludeke needs every player firing at optimum level.
Bok boss Meyer will have a good idea who his chosen men are to go to the World Cup, but reputations should count for nothing in a few months time. I wonder how much form will play when that final selection is made. - The Star