Lukhanyo Am: Star centre’s return music to the ears of Sharks and Springboks fans

David Skippers

Sharks and Springboks supporters will be delighted by news of star centre Lukhanyo Am’s return to action when the Durban-based outfit face Bordeaux-Begles in a Champions Cup clash on Friday night.

His presence as one of the backline replacements in the Sharks’ matchday line-up at Stade Chaban-Delmas is sure to be a shot in the arm for director of rugby Neil Powell and his charges.

Timely return

And although he has been included on the Sharks‘ bench, his return comes at the right time as his side have a tricky assignment in unfamiliar surroundings in their first away clash in the Champions Cup.

Am has shone at outside centre for club and country in recent years, so much so that he has become arguably the best player in his position in the world right now.

The 29-year-old is renowned for his excellent attacking and defensive skills as well as his ability to win crucial turnovers – attributes which has seen him become one of the first names on the team-sheet for the Sharks and South Africa.

He has also caught the eye with his calm leadership under pressure and this aspect of his play should come in handy when he takes to the field against Bordeaux.

Although he will not be playing at international level until next year, it must be remembered that he was in sublime form for his country until a knee injury – sustained in a 25-17 Rugby Championship defeat against Australia in Adelaide in August – brought his 2022 Test season to a premature end.

And it’s fair to say that Am’s presence was greatly missed by the three-time world champions during an indifferent international campaign of which they won eight out of 13 Tests for the year.

Before his injury struck, Am had shone during the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship campaign, which ended when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up the Bulls.

He then hit the ground running with fine performances for the Springboks in the first and third Tests against Wales, in Pretoria and Cape Town respectively – matches which were both won by the Boks during a 2-1 series triumph.

It’s therefore not a surprise that he was not in South Africa’s matchday squad – along with several other senior Boks – when they lost the second Test in Bloemfontein.

Am then lit up the early stages of the Rugby Championship with his excellent all-round skill set with a fine showing in their tournament opener against New Zealand in Mbombela – a match which the Boks won comfortably 26-10.

However, the following week he improved on that effort in a 35-23 defeat against the same opposition in Johannesburg, when he came to the fore with arguably his best display for his country. What made that performance more remarkable is that he played most of the match on the wing – after Jesse Kriel left the field early in the first half due to concussion – and finished with 137 metres gained and a well-taken try.

It was in the next Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies that he was struck down by injury but despite only playing in five of the Boks’ 13 Tests in 2022, his brilliance was recognised with a nomination for the World Rugby Player of the Year award, which was eventually won by outstanding Ireland tearaway Josh van der Flier.

Vital player for the Boks

Although he will only be playing at international level until next year, Am will, once again, be a vital cog in the Springbok machine as they prepare to defend their Rugby World Cup trophy at next year’s global showpiece in France.

However, for now it is the Sharks who will be boosted by his presence and although he has been named on their bench for the Bordeaux encounter, he should get some game-time in that fixture which will lead to starts and then it should only be a matter of time before he reaches his previous lofty heights.

READ MORE: Champions Cup: Johnny Sexton on bench for Leinster against weakened Gloucester while Lukhanyo Am returns to Sharks squad

Champions Cup