Lambie the perfect 10 for Scots
Most of the fuss was about Morne Steyn's back spasms, but Patrick Lambie may well be the player to steal the Springbok spotlight this week.
Lambie, who was earmarked to start at flyhalf against Scotland at Murrayfield this coming Sunday, received an unexpected additional 60 minutes of game time in Cardiff last Saturday – and it may just be to the Boks' benefit.
Steyn suffered a back spasm during the warm-up and lasted just 18 minutes, before Lambie – who started at fullback – took over at flyhalf and Willie le Roux came into the last line of defence.
That is why the concerns about Steyn's injury – which is improving enough to ensure he is likely to be available anyway – should not be a major concern.
Bok assistant coach John McFarland feels Lambie benefitted greatly from his time at flyhalf at the Millennium Stadium in the 24-15 win over Wales at the weekend.
And while the Bok medical staff will continue to keep a close eye on Steyn, Lambie is set to play a pivotal role against the Scots this coming Sunday.
"We are lucky to have two quality No.10s," McFarland told a media scrum at the team's base in Edinburgh.
"You need that [two quality flyhalves] at this level.
"Obviously Pat hasn't had much game-time this year, but it was great that the got the 60 minutes that he did.
"As the game went on he improved and got more comfortable with what we wanted and he did really well."
McFarland also dismissed the notion that Lambie's poor Currie Cup form could impact on his game as he prepares for a start in the No.10 jersey.
"In the Currie Cup Final he won the Sharks the game," the Bok assistant said, when asked about Lambie's poor kicking in earlier matches.
"It is great when you are a flyhalf and you are steering a team around for game management.
"When you win a big game [the Currie Cup Final] and you play the sort of tactical game they [the Sharks] did [against Western Province] in Cape Town that is very encouraging to see."
