Steyn key to Sharks' cause
The skills and experience of World Cup-winning Springbok Frans Steyn will be key to the Sharks' cause on their Australasian tour.
Injured Sharks teammate Patrick Lambie told rugby365 that Steyn's ability to seamlessly move between flyhalf and centre shows the true quality of the 26-year-old Springbok.
The Sharks start their trip Down Under when they play the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday and then tackle the Brumbies the following Friday – in what is Jake White's first visit to Canberra since he quit the Brumbies job last year.
After that follows a quick hop across the Tasman Sea for games against the Crusaders and Blues.
Lambie, who confirmed that he is hoping to return to the playing field in July after surgery to repair a raptured bicep, also spoke of how he is tapping into Steyn's experience to aid his own game.
"My aim is to be able to play again at the start of July, if everything goes well and according to plan," Lambie told this website, adding that his rehabilitation programmes is on track and he is already working "flat-out" in the gym.
"As soon as I am fit enough and strong enough I will be back on the field," he said.
He described the opportunity to work under World Cup-winning former Bok coach Jake White, who has backed him at flyhalf as "awesome".
"I have played most of my rugby at flyhalf in the last few years, but it does help knowing that the coach is backing you in that position," Lambie said.
"It has been great that, since the pre-season, I have been able to focus on flyhalf and flyhalf only.
"It is frustrating that the injury came when it did," he said of the setback, when he tore his bicep in the Sharks' loss to the Bulls in Pretoria back in May – which required surgery.
It was suggested that Lambie could be sidelined for six months, but he confirmed that he will be back much sooner.
"It felt that as a Sharks team, and personally as well, we had some great momentum going," he said of his injury.
Lambie was obviously very disappointed about missing out on the bulk of the Super Rugby season, as well as the June Tests.
"Hopefully I will play again in July or latest August," he said, adding: "Whether it is Super Rugby or Currie Cup I will be giving it my best and hopefully get back into the Springbok mix."
He was full of praise for Steyn, who played a key role in his improved form before the injury.
"Frans has been playing fantastic rugby and I am very pleased for him," he said of Steyn's form this season.
"He has been kicking beautifully. It is great running onto the field knowing that any penalty inside 55 metres there is a chance of him kicking it over and this year his percentage [success rate] is very high as well.
"I think he is enjoying playing under Jake [White] as well.
"I take my hat off to him, the adjustments he has had to make in bounding between flyhalf and centre this season."
Lambie said he has been tapping into Steyn's experience "big time".
"We get along very well off the field as well. There is never a dull moment, lots of fun.
"What is very nice is that he trusts me and I trust him – we have been feeding off each other."
By Jan de Koning
