At the 2007 Rugby World Cup, JP Pietersen was a 21-year old striding on to the biggest stage in the sport. Now Pat Lambie is a 20-year old taking his first steps at the same level. What had Pietersen been telling his Sharks teammate to expect at the World Cup?
"I think I must ask Pat for more advice, actually," laughed Pietersen. "He's so cool and calm, it's hard to see him as a guy who is ever under pressure. He's very mature for his age. He's probably more mature than I was at 21. At the moment he is asking me small things about the game plan, but I should speak to him more. I would love to have his calmness."
It takes a fair amount to fluster Lambie, a young man who has taken to the top flight with such aplomb that it reminds one of Jonny Wilkinson. And Pietersen, whose tackle in the quarter-final against Fiji will remain the stuff of South African World Cup legend.
Pietersen covered for Lambie when he was injured early on against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth, moving to fullback and performing admirably. Lambie, who was tackled into touch and fell awkwardly, damaged his AC joint and it was feared he would be out of the World Cup. Yesterday he confirmed he is fit for purpose.
" It's coming along nicely, getting better and better each day. I'm able to do some push-ups and am taking a bit of contact on it now, hitting a few tackle bags from last Monday. I'm running comfortably and am available for selection. I don't know if that necessarily means I will get picked, though," said Lambie. "It's awesome [to be at the Cup], I'm seriously happy to be here.
