Competition at flyhalf healthy - Lambie
Pat Lambie talks about the competition for the Springbok flyhalf jersey and the mood in the camp ahead of their first World Cup clash with Japan this weekend.
The Cell C Sharks pivot staked a claim for the starting berth at flyhalf when he steered the Springboks to a 26-12 win over Argentina in their final game before the World Cup last month. Before that match, he was playing second fiddle to Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard.
Lambie cracked the nod to start against Japan this weekend and he has a real opportunity to show Bok coach Heyneke Meyer why he should wear the number 10 jersey for the rest of the global showpiece. But ever a team player, Lambie said the Springbok players will encourage whoever is given the honour to start in their respective positions.
"I think it's brought out the best in all of us, we all get along very well and there aren't any hard feelings," Lambie said of the competition for the flyhalf jersey with Pollard and Morne Steyn.
"We've all made a commitment, not just the three of us but all 31 in the squad, that we all want the same thing. We all want to play every minute of every game but you can't hold it against a player who is in the same position as you that gets selected. He's just doing his best."
"We want to back each other, whether you're in the starting line-up, on the bench or sitting in the stands watching the game. I think all 31 one of us have bought into the fact that we've got to have respect and understanding for each other and just support each other in whatever roll we have to play."
What makes that easier is the confidence the Springboks garnered from beating Argentina last month. The win in Buenos Aires avenged the loss in Durban the week before and put the team in a positive mindset according to Lambie.
"I think that away win in Argentina has definitely given us a little bit of momentum coming into the competition. It wouldn't have been nice coming off a few loses in a row," the pivot said.
"It was a very hostile environment we had to go play in and our backs were against the wall with pressure coming from different sides. It was really encouraging to see how the whole group pulled together and came through that one. I guess there are going to be some tough times throughout this competition as well but we can look back on that experience and hopefully it can get us through whatever is to come in this tournament."
The Springboks face Japan at 17h45 South African time on Saturday.
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(File Photo: Gallo Images)