Lukhanyo Am may have relinquished the captain’s armband but he’s determined to help make the Sharks title contenders in the latter stages of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The Sharks, who have already secured their place in the knockout stages, will welcome Am back for their last league match on May 20 away to Ulster.
Am will not reclaim the captaincy that now sits with prop Thomas du Toit. “Before I left I had a chat with the coaching staff and the higher powers,” Am said this week from Japan, where he has been playing for the Kobelco Steelers.
“When I come back whoever has been captain, whether it is Thomas or Siya (Kolisi), will continue. We don’t want to interrupt what has been happening while I was away. I’ll be just another player. Obviously I’ll use some of my influence due to my experience where I can.”
Tank can lead charge
The centre said he was happy for Du Toit to have the captaincy. “He has been part of the senior group of players. It is really good for him and the team.”
Am’s early return from the Steelers was made possible by the team’s failure to reach the semifinals in Japan’s new League One. He will be a welcome addition to the Sharks at the business end of the URC and while the Steelers underperformed this season, Am is happy he's gained from his time in Kobe.
“It’s been an amazing experience for me, especially as a back. The Japanese style is high tempo, it’s about speed and giving the ball air. As a back, it was beneficial to play in the ideal conditions that would benefit my style of play.”
It’s unlikely he will get those conditions at Ravenhill next week when the Sharks run out at arguably the tournament’s most inhospitable venue.
He’s just happy to be back in a Sharks jersey and wanted to clear up any misconceptions about the timing of his move to Japan. “A lot of people don’t know the story behind the move. It was meant to happen December/January but because of Covid-19 regulations, the borders were closed so I couldn’t come in at that time.
“The deal was, whenever the borders opened, the Sharks would release me. I still played a bit of the URC once the borders opened.”
Brains trust in the know
While the Springboks’ brains trust have been reluctant to rope in less experienced players who earn a living in Japan, Am is very much a permanent fixture in the midfield.
“The Springboks have been doing a good job on following up on players. It is very competitive here, having a lot of foreigners in the team.
“I don't think there is a massive difference whether you play in Japan or Europe. Not for backs — maybe for the forwards. I don’t think they (the Bok brains trust) have the old view of players playing in Japan. The coaches know what is happening. The players often go back in better form than when they left SA.”
Perhaps the best example was when former scrumhalf Fourie du Preez returned to the Boks following a stint with Suntory Sungoliath in 2013. He broke an almost two-year hiatus with a sharp, incisive display that completely caught a ponderous Argentina off guard at Soccer City.
Am believes the Boks are in far better shape than they were at the corresponding period last year when they were yet to play a Test since their World Cup win. “We all know what 2021 was like.
“Last year we got good minutes under the belt. That was good for the team. The coaches did a good job following up on players in the URC and players playing abroad. Then there were alignment camps and meetings via Zoom. It was about catching up and putting everyone under the same umbrella.
“I think we’ll have enough time to prepare for Wales. We will be a lot sharper than we were last season.”
Later in the season the All Blacks beckon in back-to-back Tests at Mbombela Stadium and Ellis Park.
“Historically we know how big it is. Doing it in front of our home fans is massive for our team. We also know there are a lot of New Zealand fans in SA. I’m really excited for those two Tests. I can’t wait to be in the mix.”
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