Pat Lambie could start for the Sharks in their qualifier play-off against the Highlanders at Kings Park on Saturday despite not having played for four months.

Lambie, who suffered a torn bicep against the Bulls in round six, has been training with the Sharks since the end of June, but was not risked for their last two league matches, against the Cheetahs and Stormers. However, he is now set to return for the first round of the play-offs.

'The one thing about Lambie is that he seems to have that knack of coming back in important games and putting in a big performance,' said White. 'We've got to bank on the fact that we have to win this game, the next and the next one to win the title, so I have to throw Pat into the mix sometime if I believe he is good enough.

'Pat's been running and training with us, he's obviously very talented and he means a lot to our group,' added White. 'I don't think he would want to be sitting out if he was fit.'

If Lambie does start at 10, Frans Steyn, who had a good game at flyhalf at Newlands, would move to 12.

The Sharks have also been boosted by the news that prop Tendai Mtawarira and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will be back for Saturday's match. They will, however, have to wait and see whether JP Pietersen is available. The winger clashed heads with Duane Vermeulen in the 18th minute of their game against the Stormers and failed a concussion test on the side of the field.

If the Sharks do beat the Highlanders on Saturday they will travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders in the semi-finals next weekend. 

Photo: Sabelo Mngoma/BackpagePix