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Lambie hits the reset button

Lambie, who was named captain of the Durban-based franchise again, has had limited game time for the Sharks in recent seasons and 2016 was no different.

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The 26-year-old missed most of last year's Super Rugby tournament with a shoulder injury before getting concussed in the Springboks' first Test of the year against Ireland.

"It almost feels like a new start again at the Sharks," Lambie told reporters in Durban on Thursday.

Lambie hits the reset button"I have hardly played any rugby for them [Sharks] in the last few seasons, so I can't wait to get out there and I am really going to try and enjoy myself."

Another player also hoping to have more time on the field this year is scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who suffered a terrible knee injury against the Highlanders in April last year.

Friday's pre-season friendly against the Cheetahs in Umlazi will be Reinach's first bit of action in nine months. 

"I am very chuffed for Cobus [Reinach]," Lambie added.

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"It was a very nasty injury to get through, but I think he has come through with flying colours. 

"I am sure he is chomping at the bit to get some game time and I think he is in for a big year this year."

Meanwhile, Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has hinted that his team will be playing an exciting brand of rugby in 2017.

"Ultimately, we do have a vision of how we want to play, but we have to take that one game at a time and build on the successes of the previous games," said Du Preez.

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"We want to play more ball in hand, but with that comes a big responsibility. So, I am looking for a well-balanced approach between attack and defence."

Teams:

Match One

Sharks B-Team: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Johan Deysel, 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Inny-Christian Radebe, 9 Hanco Venter, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu (captain), 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Wian Vosloo, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 John-Hubert Meyer.

Replacements – from: Juan Schoeman, Gerhard Engelbrecht, Jean Droste, Khaya Majola, Jacques Vermeulen, Rowan Gouws, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Odwa Ndungane, Marius Louw, Tristan Blewett, Morné Joubert, Garth April.

Cheetahs B-Team: 15 Ryno Eksteen, 14 Juan-Philip Smith, 13 Joubert Engelbrecht, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Ruan van Rensburg, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Junior Pokomela, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Dennis Visser, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Elandré Huggett, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.

Replacements: Zee Mkhabela, Reinach Venter and squad.

Date: Friday, February 3

Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi

Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)

Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Match Two

Sharks A-Team: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie (captain), 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements – from: Juan Schoeman, Franco Marais, Lourens Adriaanse, Jean Droste, Hyron Andrews, Francois Kleinhans, Jacques Vermeulen, Lubabalo Mtembu, Cobus Reinach, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Sbu Nkosi, Jeremy Ward, Johan Deysel, Sibusiso Sithole, Clement Poitrenaud.

Cheetahs A-Team: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements – from: Squad

Date: Friday, February 3

Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi

Kick-off: 18.30 (16.30 GMT)

Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

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