Lambie eyes Springbok return, World Cup

As well as finding club success with Racing 92, Patrick Lambie is desperate to play for the Springboks again in time for the World Cup in 2019.

Lambie will start in the No. 10 jersey as Racing Metro try to secure a maiden European Champions Cup title against three-time winners Leinster in Bilbao.

After several impressive performances over the course of the European season, Lambie could feature in Rassie Erasmus' Springboks squad for their three-Test series against England in June.

27-year-old Lambie remains eligible for the Springboks as an overseas-based player because he meets the established 30-cap minimum threshold.

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"I would love to play for them again and go to the World Cup next year. I realised moving overseas was maybe going to make it more difficult to play for the Springboks even though there is the 30 Tests rule," said Lambie.

"I know there's the pressure to select locally-based players. If I get selected that would be wonderful. Rassie Erasmus has made contact but not in the last few weeks. Will wait and see what happens - winning one or two titles would help... I'm sure!"

Before the June series, Lambie will be hoping to give All Blacks legend Daniel Carter a victorious send-off before he departs to Japan.

"It's really nice to have him on the same side and to have trained and played with him, seen how he does things and speak to him about the game and life outside rugby as well," Lambie told AFP.

Lambie joined Racing in 2017 after eight seasons with the Sharks in Super Rugby. He has represented South Africa 58 times.

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