Lambie not lost to Sharks rugby

It was one of the most disappointing facts of South African rugby in recent years that outstanding back Pat Lambie was never able to fulfil the immense potential he brought to the game.

Another victim of concussions, he was forced out at the age of 28.

Lambie always had rugby in his genes. His grandfather Nic Labuschagne played five Tests for England between 1953-55 while he was also related to Scotland internationals Peter and Gordon Brown.

Lambie, who played 56 Tests for the Springboks between 2010-16, also played 71 times for the Sharks in Super Rugby between 2010 and 2017. His versatility saw him at first five-eighths, centre and fullback but his chances in his favoured position in the five-eighths were blocked by the Springboks adherence to Morne Steyn as their favoured starter.

He said 2019 had been a tough year not to be playing the game because it was a World Cup year and he had dreamt about being in Japan and playing in the tournament.

"The World Cup was always in your face and very hard to ignore. I also had to find my feet in the working world after moving back to South Africa from France," he told rugbyrocks.com.

Now back living in South Africa with his wife Kate and son Jackson, he is working in property development but also spending time as a kicking consultant with the Sharks.

He has been working closely with 2019 Super Rugby's top points scorer Curwin Bosch when the competition was suspended with 86 points having landed 15 conversions and 16 penalty goals at a success rate of 76 percent.

Bosch, playing consistently at first five-eighths, something Lambie was never given the chance to do both for the Sharks and Springboks, has been a key performer for the Sharks.

And Lambie likes what he has seen with Bosch's goal-kicking, especially after two vital penalty goals against the Stormers in the Sharks' 24-14 win.

"It all my playing days, I never saw anyone strike the ball as well as Curwin," Lambie said.

"I can't take any credit for how well he's kicked this season, though, because he has such a great work ethic. He loves kicking, he kicks beautifully and has a very sound technique.

"During training, you imagine kicking penalties like those he kicked against the Stormers. When you get the opportunity to do it in a game and you can execute and knock them through the posts, it's very rewarding as a player. It's also wonderful as a kicking consultant and supporter to do that," he said.

Lambie is not a full-time member of the coaching panel. He said he goes into training once or twice a week and talks with coach Sean Everitt about what the players need and whether they want some extra kicking sessions.

"I get the players to do some drills that I really enjoyed as a player. I'll chat to Sean about the team's kicking plans for that week and try to incorporate them into the training we do," he said.