Du Preez backs young flyhalf trio
Lambie will be out for up three months after having a successful operation on his right shoulder, which he dislocated in his team's opening tour game against Toulon in France two weeks ago.
With Lambie on the sidelines, the spotlight has fallen firmly on the Garth April, Inny Radebe and Curwin Bosch, who are all part of the Sharks' provisional Super Rugby squad. However, no one has the inside track for that all-important No.10 jersey yet.
"Pat is a big loss to us, as a leader and as a player," said Du Preez.
"He will still be involved with the team from a leadership point of view until he is ready. He had a successful operation so we just hope and pray that he comes back quickly.
"We have three really good young flyhalves in Inny Radebe, Garth April and Curwin Bosch. We also got Joe Pietersen who is an experienced campaigner, so we do have adequate cover for the flyhalf position."
Despite having a number of candidates to fill Lambie's shoes, Du Preez admitted that he and the rest of the coaching setup still have to decide on who the starting flyhalf will be for their opening match against the Southern Kings next week.
"We have not decided who is going to fill that position yet, but we are pleased to have that kind of talent in our setup.
"All three of them are quite inexperienced at this level, but we do have Joe who can step in while we blood some of them.
While April has been tipped by many to play flyhalf in Lambie's absence, Du Preez feels the 24-year-old might be more at home in the No.15 jersey.
"Garth has been solid on tour [at flyhalf] and he can play at fullback, which I think is his preferred position," Du Preez added.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
