Edinburgh- Young Patrick Lambie had a visitor at Springbok training on Friday in the form of a former Scotland captain, Peter Brown, who is related to the 20-year-old on his mother’s side of the family.
Brown, the brother of famous 1974 British Lions lock Gordon Brown, some time ago tried to persuade Lambie to pin his colours to the tartan mast, but the Michaelhouse old boy had eyes only for the green and gold.
Lambie has even stronger Scottish roots on the paternal side. Father Ian, who played a few games at fullback for Natal in the 1980s before being injured, spent the first 12 years of his life in Troon before the family emigrated to Durban.
In another twist, Lambie’s grandfather on his mother’s side, Nic Labuschagne, played hooker for England and Natal. He was also president of the Natal Rugby Union in the 1980s.
“I met Peter last year and he is a very nice man. He stayed with us for a few days in South Africa,” Patrick said. “He was a successful captain and they beat South Africa 8-5 at Murrayfield in 1965.”
Gordon Brown was in the Scotland team that beat the Boks 6-3 in 1969 at the same venue and played in the first three Test wins against the Springboks in 1974.
Between the brothers, they never lost a Test to the Boks.
“There can’t be many who can say that,” Peter Brown said at the Boks’ training field. “It makes it a bit strange having the family genes in the opposition. I tried my best to get him to play in the blue of Scotland but he is a passionate lad and good luck to him.
“He is a talented player, but he is also a lovely boy, very level-headed. I really hope he had a good game when he comes on, albeit in a losing team!” - Saturday Star