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:
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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
| OPPOSITION |
P |
W |
D |
L |
T |
C |
PE |
DG |
PTS |
| Australia |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| England |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
| Fiji |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Ireland |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
13 |
| Namibia |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| New Zealand |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Samoa |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Scotland |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
| Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Butch James:
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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
| OPPOSITION |
P |
W |
D |
L |
T |
C |
PE |
DG |
PTS |
| Argentina |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
| Australia |
10 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
31 |
| England |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
15 |
| Fiji |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
| France |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
15 |
| Italy |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Namibia |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| New Zealand |
10 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
20 |
| Samoa |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Scotland |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
| USA |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| Wales |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
40 |
Fred Zeilinga:
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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.
I don’t see the likes of Zeilinga making the Squad to be honest,
Plum will go with his first 2 choices and have the likes of Bosman, Viljoen and Frans Steyn Cover 10
Bosman did very well there in the CC and his kicking for goal was very good.
10 is where the Sharks are blessed. None of the other SA franchises have this quality and depth.
]
[Although Goosen is better than them all
@ Loosehead:
JUst a pity this kid is troubled with injuries, no one can argue Goose is a serious talent
Does Plum view Lambie as a 10 or a 15?
I mean he played him at 15 last year, and then played the scrumhalf Freddie at 10.
Quite confusing really.
@ Loosehead:
Now that was a feeble attempt BWAHAHAHAHAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
With the reputation that the Sharks have we could quite easily land up with the following backline:
9 Daniels
10 Bosman
11 Steyn
12 JPP
13 Lambie
14 James
15 Mvovo
@ Loosehead:
Eish Loskoppietjie, ur losing the plot bro 
TRY HARDER lol
7 @ Sharks_forever:
No really, look at how you okes have buggered players around in the past:
Brent Russel
Ruaan Pienaar
Francois Steyn
Michalak
Lampie
[fuck the rugby must start so that I can stop with this crap]
I’ve just noticed the photo’s, is that a mix of olive oil and brown boot polish they use to get the all over tanned glistening muscular look for the shoot. It is very well done, and if the hair and kit weren’t so perfect, you’d certainly think that they’d just come in from the park after a really hard match. I jest.
A very good line up. For me, I think there is a very good spread of fly-halves around the franchises now – even to a degree, the Cat at the Spears – and this bodes very well for the upcoming season. We are certainly going to see the ball spread a bit wider more often.
@ Loosehead:
😆 exactly 😉
Just For Kicks wrote:
I have had a look at all the pic’s of the Sharks players posted so far and I must agree with you, they are all very metro-sexual.
I wonder if we can expect more of them to feature in manly adverts like Lampie?
Keagan Daniels could be the new face of K-Y Jelly.
Frans Steyn and Kankowski could star in an advert for Wella Hair products.
@ Loosehead:Very much the ‘Old Boys Club’ coming through, though, notice the new boys, and Butch (despite his name) don’t get the same treatment, and obviously have to prove themselves still.
The lock with the mullet? He could advertise for Shaby Chick Hair Salon.
Think Sharks are well sorted at flyhalf and agree with Sharky doubt that Zeilina will be used. Lambie will be our first choice flyhalf with Butch covering him, if any of those get injured Bosman will cover.
Lambie and Butch are both world class and pleased we have both at the Sharks. Many might not rate Butch these days, but seriously he is still a top class flyhalf. My feeling had Butch played in the semi final against Province in the CC at flyhalf instead of Elton, Lions would have won. Butch was superb against the Bulls a week earlier. He still has what it takes.
Truly looking forward to seeing Fransie next to Lambie with Jordaan at outside centre and Reinach at scrumhalf, ja we gonna cause some havoc with those players. Serious quality all of them.
13 @ Just For Kicks: well you know, Butch could be taken any way that you like………….
After Lambie, not much going on at flyhalf for the Sharks… except a penalty machine and a revolving door.
At least they have Fransie Steyn if all goes pear at flyhalf.
Gbs,
I see you don’t rate Butch. Well he most definitely comes with experience and he is still a quality flyhalf. I feel good knowing that Lambie has good back up if he picks up another injury this year. I am pleased we still have Butch. Now Fransie is my favourite player as you know, but I DON’T rate him as a flyhalf. I am totally sure he will not be covering Lambie at fh it will be Butch if he is injured it will be Bosman and then Vijoen.
Sharks are totally covered at flyhalf with a brilliant player in Lambie and Butch and in good flyhalves as Bosman and Viljoen. Doubt Zeilinga will play S15 unless everyone else is injured.
Bosman played well at flyhalf in the Currie Cup while Lambie was with the Boks. He is a good back up for Lambie and Butch if both get injured.
Bosman will probably cover inside centre as well as flyhalf.
Pooms don’t worry bro, lol
We are well covered in ever position no matters what the jealous ones say 😉
Butch will as usual show up his detractors, Lambie to flourish even more with Steyn on his outside.
Sharks only really have one weakness, well 2 if the coaching staff have not worked on the lineout woes.
Well actually if BIsmark plays it soughts both issues lol
My concern is for Plum to choose the right combo’s at Loose forward.
I would also go with Allan Dell as back up LH prop instead of Chadwick on the bench, reason is Dell is very good in general play, Chadwick is just a scrummager, there after zero 😆
Eish Pooms also worries me with some of the supporters in here, starring at our players in a gay way 😆
21 @ Sharks_forever:
Howzit bro,
Yip we have two of the very best flyhalves this year and so we did last year as well. Not worried who rates Butch if us Sharks supporters do that all that counts. Butch is class he will be great back up. Lambie already is a brilliant flyhalf and will get better with each game, especially as you say Fransie will be there as well.
We sorted bro at flyhalf that is for sure. We also are at centre and yes just about every position expect loosehead. Wish we had another top class loosehead. I think with Kanko starting this year our lineouts should work from the first game, also like you have mentioned PSDT is very good there as well as Van der Merwe. Think we covered there. My biggest worry is we don’t have a true fetcher and as we saw in the CC final without Bissie we will struggle, also do hope that Burden plays like we know he can until Bissie returns.
Bring on S15 can’t wait….. 🙂
23 @ Sharks_forever:
22 @ Sharks_forever:
I wish we had got J. Van Rensburg from the Lions to cover Beast, had he come on loan we would be totally sorted. Don’t rate Chadwick. He gave away so many penalties this past year and we only really came right once Beast got back. Saying that now we without Bissie hope we don’t go the same way and struggle until he comes back.
Pooms, just so you know, Kleinhans is a fetcher, the Sharks are just not utalising him in that role, a pity, he plays 6 flank, but I see he was playing 8 for the under 21’s towards the latter part of the past season
23 @ Sharks_forever:
When you gonna do our Centres? Jeez we have some unbelievable quality there. Just to think 2 years back that is where we struggled, now we have probably the best there is in South Africa playing for Sharks at centre.
Look I am looking forward to seeing Fransie play next to Lambie but heck Whitehead was pure class for Sharks with Jordaan as well. We covered there totally.
@ Puma:
lol I actually feel sorry for Chadwick, look he does not select himself ,and he is a good scrummager, but eish, one minute he will be brilliant on the field, the next it’s like his mind has gone walk about
27 @ Sharks_forever:
I know Kleinhans plays 6 flank. Actually watched him play there a few times he is very good, though will he get a chance with the loosies we have? I am not sure.
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