Concussion to force Bok into retirement
NEWS: Seasoned Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie looks set to call it a day, as he continues to struggle with concussion symptoms.
The French media reported that the 28-year-old, capped 56 times, has expressed concerns about his health to his French club, Racing 92.
French publication Midi Olympique and the website actu.fr suggested Lambie’s retirement is imminent.
He spent several months on the sidelines after taking a heavy knock to the head in a collision with Ireland flank Christiaan Stander in a Test at Newlands in June 2016.
Lambie struggled with concussion-related symptoms since that collision and despite making a comeback, he suffered a heavy head knock when he collided with Sharks teammate Rhyno Smith during a Super Rugby clash against the Southern Kings in May 2017.
The two incidents resulted in a total of 10 months on the sidelines.
Il serait l’un des premiers à avoir le courage de dire stop, en raison d’un problème (les commotions) qui devient chronique.https://t.co/Iho3yoGXZa
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) January 18, 2019
Racing 92. Fin de carrière pour Pat Lambie ? 😱😱 #rugby #top14 #commotions https://t.co/SoRVhGRQ0s via @acturugbyfrance
— Actu Rugby (@acturugbyfrance) January 17, 2019
He signed a four-year deal with French club Racing 92 in September 2017, but his game time has been limited by a succession of injuries.
Apart from his concussion issues, Lambie was sidelined for six months due to ruptured cruciate ligaments – an injury he suffered in Champions Cup Final against Leinster last year.
Lambie also sustained a fractured eye socket playing for Racing 92 in their Top 14 match with Oyonnax in January 2018, but his club said at the time he’d not suffered concussion from it.
