Lambie is raring to go
Having had under an hour of game-time since the Super Rugby Final, Pat Lambie cannot wait to get a full game against Griquas on Friday.
The talented utility back has been used in an impact role by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer this year, and after sitting on the bench throughout the Rugby Championship he is keen to get stuck into the Griquas at Kings Park this weekend.
Sharks coach John Plumtree said that although he has had to consider the workload of some of his players this week, Lambie was not one of them.
"I've sat down with everyone, had conversations with the Boks about the situation and we've got to make sure we do what's best for the team.
"Pat's obviously one of the players that's really keen to play. He's been doing a lot of training, a lot of kicking and a lot of preparation for this week.
"He's always a key player when he comes back to us and we're happy to have him back this week," he said.
Plumtree explained that whilst it was important to touch base with the returning Boks over their physical condition, he is just as worried about the workload that some of his Currie Cup stalwarts have had to endure and hinted that he may consider resting a few of them this weekend.
"We've looked at the individual situations of everyone. There are of course some players that have played more than others that are now back with us.
"Then there's a lot of players here that have had a lot of games as well.
"You look at Jean Deysel, Keegan (Daniel) and our props, there's a few of them that have played 10 games in a row," he said.
However, with top spot and home advantage in the play-offs on offer, Plumtree knows that his team will have to be sharp this weekend if they want to beat a determined Griquas side.
"We've put ourselves in a nice position with one round to go," he said.
"We have a home semifinal in the bag, which is great, but we don't want to be going away for a final, we want to stay at home."