Du Preez surprised by Am’s Bok omission

Sharks head coach Robert du Preez believes centre Lukhanyo Am should have been included in the Springbok Rugby Championship squad. 

Am and Lions pair Ruan Combrink and Rohan Janse Van Rensburg were surprise omissions from Bok coach Allister Coetzee's squad for the first Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Port Elizabeth next weekend.

The 23-year-old has been a star for the Durban-based outfit this year and is an option at 12 and 13.

Du Preez admitted his surprise at Am's absence.

"He's a fantastic 12 and 13 and certainly a guy that will be up for higher honours soon," he told Sport24.

"I certainly would have selected him … I would be happy if he goes to the Boks."

Du Preez made this admission following the Sharks' 28-20 win against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Wednesday. It is a result that has seen the Durbanites move up to second on the Currie Cup standings.

"I'm proud of the boys and the guts they showed out there tonight," Du Preez added.

"We did miss 40-odd tackles, so that wasn't great. That started with our bad exits, so that's something we're going to have to work on.

"I thought we played really good rugby at times and went through the phases, but there were just one or two offloads that didn't go to hand, I'm very pleased with our intent on attack."

The Sharks' next match is against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.