Boks move on from Lambie
The Springboks are planning on being without Pat Lambie for at least the remainder of 2016 as the flyhalf battles to overcome the effects of a serious concussion.
It is believed that Johan Goosen and Morne Steyn’s French clubs, Racing Metro and Stade Francais, have been notified that neither player will be available for Top 14 duty during the Rugby Championship and November Test window.
This suggests that Bok coach Allister Coetzee is moving on from Lambie until at least next year – Steyn and Goosen are behind Elton Jantjies on the Boks’ flyhalf depth chart.
Lambie was flattened by Ireland flank CJ Stander at Newlands in June. More than two months later, reports from the Sharks camp confirm that the flyhalf is pumping iron after a long period of mandated rest, but Lambie’s extended absence is a big, red flag.
As laid out in World Rugby’s ‘Graduated Return to Play’ programme, there are six stages between concussion and being cleared for action: minimum rest period, light aerobic exercise, sport-specific exercise, non-contact training drills, full contact practice and return to play.
A mild concussion routinely sidelines a player for a fortnight, which means that, generally, such players are able to progress through the six-step programme in two weeks.
After 10 weeks, Lambie appears to have only just begun stage two.
