'Rusty' Lambie praises April

April, who helped club side Durbanville-Bellville win the Community Cup last year, has been the Sharks' starting flyhalf in their last three Super Rugby games and has impressed in each one – especially in the 32-15 victory over the Hurricanes last weekend.

Lambie made his first appearance of the season in that very game when he replaced April in the second half after returning from a shoulder injury and had some flattering things to say about his fellow playmaker.  

"Garth has been outstanding," Lambie told reporters in Durban on Tuesday.

"He's had some really strong performances and I think he has generated a lot of confidence amongst the other players in the group.

"I hope he has a bright future here at the Sharks."

With Lambie back, the Sharks' brains trust might be tempted to play him and April together in the No.10 and No.12 channel at some stage. 

"You will have to chat to the coaching staff about that one. 

"I would not be against it, but it is not something that crossed my mind yet," Lambie added.

The Durban-based side are currently preparing for their encounter against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday and after witnessing his team's hard-fought 19-15 win against the same opponents in Durban in Round Two, Lambie knows the challenge that awaits them in Argentina.

"They [Jaguares] had a tough start in Super Rugby. I think they have had a number of narrow losses and they are coming off a really strong performance against the Kings and bye week so they will be fresh.

"It's a very hostile environment and they will be up for the challenge. They will have a point to prove because we are in the same pool so we are expecting a high tempo, physical encounter.

"They got a lot of good skills [out wide] … It's going to have to be another strong defensive performance," Lambie added.

Meanwhile, Lambie admitted that he would need a few more games to shake off the rustiness after a long injury lay-off. 

"I think I was a little bit rusty, that was my own feeling at least," said the 25-year-old after getting 30 minutes off the bench against the Hurricanes. 

"I was quite fortunate in that my rehab went very smoothly, so there wasn't all that much that I couldn't do apart from contact.

"I have been kicking, running and doing ball skills for six to eight weeks, so that is maybe what you saw on the weekend," he said.

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