In this Article we look at the contenders for FLYHALVES at the Sharks 2013 Super Rugby group.

FLYHALF – this is the position the Sharks now have the most depth they have had in a long time, even with the departure of the French general, Freddy Michalak.

The Sharks are in a position where they at least always have parity at scrum time and for the most part should win the breakdown clashes! This allows for their halfbacks to be more involved in games and they are also able to set up running lines and control games more effectively.

The Sharks have potentially six good pivots at their disposal, with three of them being natural flyhalves! Patrick Lambie is at present the Springbok incumbent flyhalf and Butch James a former Springbok who has a World Cup medal, a thing not many flyhalves can boast.

I, for one, believe Patrick Lambie is in for a bumper year with the likes of Francois Steyn on his outside as well as some mentoring he would be getting from a very experienced Butch James. All bodes well for the Sharks at pivot.

The Contenders:

Patrick Lambie:

Position Flyhalf Height 1.77 Weight 87 kg Date of Birth 17 October 1990 Place of Birth Durban Provincial Debut 2010 Natal Sharks Provincial Caps 25 Provincial Points 271 Super Rugby Debut 2010 Sharks Super Rugby Caps 35 Super Rugby Points 344 Test Debut 2010 Aged 20 Test Caps 20 Test points 40

Patrick Lambie will as always attack the gain line, he will defend like a demon, he distributes well and is most of all a very calm player that more often than not takes the right options. Lastly his kicking game is extremely good.

Schooled at Michaelhouse and capable of playing flyhalf, centre and fullback, he was the leading points scorer in the 2009 ABSA Under 21 Currie Cup, despite only turning 19 later that year. He represented South Africa at Under 20 level and was utilized extensively as the first choice fullback during the 2010 Under 20 World Cup in  Argentina.

Lambie joined the Sharks senior team setup in the 2010 Super 14 season, where his debut was spent in the fullback position. He was moved to centre in the 2010 Currie Cup and due to injury was required to fill the flyhalf berth. Due to his natural talent and unwavering nerve he made the position his own and was integral in helping the Sharks reach Currie Cup success in 2010, scoring 2 tries, 3 conversions and 3 penalties in the Sharks’ 30-10 win over Western Province in the final of the tournament. He was awarded with the “Man of the Match” award in the Currie Cup final. Lambie was also the second highest point scorer in the Currie Cup.

He was called up to represent South Africa during their 2010 tour to Ireland and the United Kingdom. He made his Test debut against Ireland on 6 November 2010, at flyhalf after Morne Steyn was substituted in the second half, where he promptly converted a try on debut. He has also started against the Barbarians team for the Springboks at fullback, but this is not calculated as an official international Test. Patrick Lambie was Michaelhouse’s  first South African rugby player in their 115 year history.

His Career portfolio to date is as follows:

• 2012 – South Africa Castle Outgoing Tours – South Africa The Castle Rugby Championship – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa Castle Incoming Tours – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby
• 2011 – South Africa IRB Rugby World Cup – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby – South Africa Castle Tri-Nations
• 2010 – South Africa Outgoing Tours – Springboks Outgoing Tours – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – South Africa IRB Junior World Championships – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14
• 2009 – Sharks ABSA Under 21 Competition – Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Sharks Invitational XV Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies
• 2008 – Kwazulu-Natal U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week – SA Schools SA Schools – U18 Elite Squad Elite Squads
• 2007 – SA Schools SA Schools – KZN U18 U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week

TEST RECORD

Butch James:

Position Flyhalf Height 1.85 Weight 102 kg Date of Birth 8 January 1979 Place of Birth Johannesburg Provincial Debut 2000 – Natal Sharks, 2011-2012-Lions, 2013-Sharks Provincial Caps 45-Sharks, 14-Lions Provincial Points 373-Sharks, 71-Lions Super Rugby Debut 2001-2007- Sharks, 2011-2012-Lions Super Rugby Caps 53-Sharks, 16-Lions Super Rugby Points 384-Sharks, 51-Lions Test Debut  2001-Present Test Caps 42 Test Points 159

Again many supporters will welcome him back at the Sharks in 2013 and many will say he is too old and to this and too that, but Butch showed this past season that he is still a quality player and still has quite a bit to offer. With his return to the Sharks there are many reasons why it is a good move – he played 80% of his rugby at the Sharks where he grew up before spending some time at Bath in the UK as well as a short stint with the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.

Butch is a more then handy back- up flyhalf in case an injury should happen to Patrick Lambie or should rotation of players be required. It is after all a very long arduous season coming up and will without doubt be very taxing on the players.

James was schooled at Maritzburg College.

Although his first names are Andrew, David, he has been known as ‘Butch’ since his grandmother gave him the nickname as an infant. In the case of butch we delve a bit deeper seeing as he has had a very long career and it is interesting to see how his journey has been to date.

Sharks career

James played for the Sharks in the Currie Cup and for the Sharks in Super Rugby. He has twice played in a Super Rugby final for the Sharks, being on the losing side on both occasions. In the 2001 Super 12 final, the Sharks lost 36–6 to the ACT Brumbies with Butch James missing four penalty attempts in the first half and in 2007 they lost 19–20 to the Bulls.

His career with the Sharks and the Springboks was hampered by injury. In 2002, his appearances were restricted, following knee surgery. In the 2004 Super Rugby season, he played in every game for the Sharks and looked certain to be recalled to the national squad until an injury to the cruciate ligaments of his left knee, 12 minutes into the last game against the Stormers, ended his season and kept him out of rugby for six months.

Despite his history of injuries, James has a reputation as an aggressive tackler and excellent place kicker. Early in his career he was frequently penalized for dangerous tackles, particularly tackles above the shoulder, with a swinging arm, or without the use of the arms. In only his second Test, against France, he was cited and suspended for an off-the-ball hit on French wing David Bory and three Tests later against Australia he was sin-binned for a tackling offence. More recently he has improved his tackling technique and is now less prone to conceding penalties.

It was announced on 9 July 2007 that he had signed a two year contract with Bath Rugby though he continued to be eligible to play for the Springboks.

Springbok career

Following the completion of the 2001 Super 12 season, James was included in the Springboks squad and made his debut for South Africa at flyhalf in a 32–23 loss to France at Ellis Park. In the following Test, also against France, he contributed five penalty goals in the 20–15 victory in Durban, but was later cited and suspended, missing South Africa’s next match, against Italy. He returned for the 2001 Tri Nations Series and started at flyhalf in every game though South Africa only managed to win the one match, 20–15 against Australia in Durban.

James was a part of Springboks in November 2002 and was a reserve in a Test against France at Stade Velodrome in Marseilles and was subsequently moved to starting flyhalf for a Test against Scotland. He was switched to inside centre for the following match against England. South Africa lost all of those end-of-season Tests including the 52–0 drubbing by England.

James was included in the Springboks 2006 Tri Nations Series squad, playing in the 35–17 loss to the All Blacks in Wellington as well as in the following match against Australia in Sydney which the Springboks lost 20–18, thanks to a late Wallaby try. James made an impact in the first half, though one of his cross-field kicks was intercepted and led to a Mark Gerrard try. He was also selected for the end-of-year tour to Ireland and England.

After being omitted from the squad for the game against Ireland, James started in the first game against England. In the first half he scored a try with the help of Jean de Villiers and at the start of the second half he set up a try for Springbok wing Akona Ndugane, the first of his career. Although he scored 14 points (a try, two penalties, and a conversion), South Africa narrowly lost the game 23–21 and James had to be substituted after suffering another knee injury, which meant he missed South Africa’s 14–25 win in the second Test against England.

James was named in the Springboks squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He played in three pool matches, including those against Samoa and England and in all three games in the knock-out stages. In the final, against England his composure and ability to nullify the impact of his opposite number, Jonny Wilkinson, helped South Africa to a 15–6 win.

Bath career

Following the 2007 World Cup tournament, James joined Bath Rugby. He made his debut in Bath’s 28–6 victory over Auch in the European Challenge Cup on 10 November and was an immediate success, earning the man of the match award after scoring a superb individual try and setting up another with a deft cross-field chip-kick.

On 1 February 2011 it was announced that James would be joining the Lions back in South Africa at the end of May.

His career portfolio is as follows:

• 2013 – After his contract expired at the end of the 2012 season, he rejoined the Sharks
• 2012 – MTN Golden Lions ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – MTN Lions Vodacom Super Rugby
• 2011 – South Africa IRB Rugby World Cup – MTN Golden Lions ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – MTN Lions Vodacom Super Rugby – South Africa Castle Tri-Nations
• 2010 – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours
• 2008 – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours
• 2007 – South Africa IRB Rugby World Cup – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 – South Africa World Cup warm-up matches
• 2006 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Wildebeest Vodacom Cup – The Sharks Vodacom Super 14 – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – South Africa Vodacom Outgoing Tours
• 2005 – The Sharks ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round – Sharks Vodacom Super 12
• 2004 – Sharks Vodacom Super 12 – 2004
• 2003 – Natal Sharks ABSA Currie Cup – Premier Div. – SA ‘A’ Vodacom Incoming Tours – Sharks Vodacom Super 12 – 2003
• 2002 – South Africa Springboks Outgoing Tour – Natal Sharks Bankfin Currie Cup – South Africa ‘A’ Incoming Tours – South Africa Incoming Tours
• 2001 – South Africa Vodacom Tri-Nations – Natal Sharks Bankfin Currie Cup – South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours – South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours – Sharks Vodacom Super 12
• 2000 – Natal Sharks Bankfin Currie Cup – South Africa U/21 South Hem. U21 – South Africa U/23 African Rugby Champs – Natal Wildebeest Vodacom Cup
• 1999 – South Africa U/21 South Hem. U21 – Natal Sharks U/21 Bankfin Under 21 – Natal Sharks Bankfin Currie Cup – Natal Wildebeeste Vodacom Cup
• 1998 – Natal Sharks U/21 Bankfin Under 21
• 1996 – South Africa U/23 Other National Games

TEST RECORD

Fred Zeilinga:

Position Flyhalf Height 1.75 Weight 84 kg Date of Birth 11 December 1992 Place of Birth Ladysmith Provincial Debut 2012 Sharks XV Provincial Caps 0 Provincial Points 0 Super Rugby Debut 0 Super Rugby Caps 0 Super Rugby Points 0 Test Debut 0 Test Caps 0 Test Points 0

He is likely to be third in line at flyhalf for the Sharks. This young pivot came through the junior ranks with a very good reputation but taking injuries into account and the fact that opportunities has not knocked on his door yet, he is yet to prove that reputation. He is a natural flyhalf that strangely enough can play scrumhalf too and he has a solid kicking game to boot.

Fred was schooled at Glenwood High School and has had a very illustrious junior career and it was only due to a broken ankle that he did not play for SA Schools. He broke his ankle in a match between Glenwood and Maritzburg College two weeks before the Craven Week.

His career to date is as follows:

• 2012 – Sharks ABSA Under 21 Competition – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup
• 2011 – Sharks ABSA Under 19 Competition – Sharks ABSA Under 21 Competition – Sharks XV Vodacom Cup
• 2010 – Sharks ABSA Under 19 Competition – KZN U18 Craven Week
• 2009 – Sharks ABSA Under 19 Competition – KZN U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
• 2008 – Kwazulu-Natal U16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week – U16 Elite Squad Elite Squads
• 2005 – Kwa-Zulu Natal U13 Coca Cola Craven Week

Starters:

Patrick Lambie will start without a doubt, with Butch James the backup. Will Fred Zelinga play Super Rugby in 2013? I do not believe so as John Plumtree will fall back onto players like Meyer Bosman or Francois Steyn to cover pivot in the case of too many injuries.