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Am boost for Sharks as he returns for his 100th game

rugby30 May 2025 08:38| © SuperSport
By:Gavin Rich
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Lukhanyo Am © Gallo Images

The Hollywoodbets Sharks will have the added incentive of trying to make it a memorable landmark 100th game for Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am when they face off against Munster in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal in Durban on Saturday.

Am has been out for a few weeks with injury but he has returned to the mix just at the right time as his experience as a Springbok World Cup winner, and a pivotal one in the 2019 final in Japan at that, will come in useful in what should be a high pressure game against the 2023 URC winners.

He is an influential player in the Sharks setup, as evidenced by the fact that a few seasons ago he was the regular Sharks captain, with the change to that role only being made when he went on a six month sabbatical in Japan.

He replaces Jurenzo Julius at outside centre to make it an all international midfield for the Sharks, with Andre Esterhuizen on the inside possibly being the most influential Sharks player this season outside of skipper Eben Etzebeth.

Am’s return is one of five changes to the Sharks starting team from the one that played against Scarlets at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the final URC league game. That match went off without a try being scored and it is hoped that the return of Am can reintroduce some sharp edge to the Durban team’s attacking game.

With Siya Masuku out injured, coach John Plumtree had an easy decision to make at flyhalf, where another capped Bok in Jordan Hendrikse also makes a timely return. Hendrikse wasn’t great with his game management before he was injured but he is a talented player who should add to the Sharks’ attacking potency.

With Grant Williams obviously still struggling with his neck injury as he is not in the match day squad at all (he's in fact one of just three names on the Sharks' injury list this week, the others being Trevor Nyakane and Masuku), it would also have been an easy decision to stick with Jordan’s brother Jaden as his halfback partner.

While the backline sees just two changes, there have been some significant changes to the pack, with Bok captain Siya Kolisi returning from the rest enforced by the national resting protocols to fit back into the No 8 jersey that was worn by Phepsi Buthelezi in the 12-3 win against Scarlets. Buthelezi moves to the bench.

Also making a welcome return is regular openside flank James Venter, who was injured in the penultimate league fixture against the Ospreys.

The additional change to the pack sees Jason Jenkins upping the Springbok component in the starting team by displacing Emile van Heerden as skipper Etzebeth’s second row partner. That gives the Sharks an all Bok front five. Van Heerden will play off the bench in this game.

Plumtree has opted for a five/three split between forwards and backs on the bench, with Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe the backs who will join backup scrumhalf Bradley Davids among the impact substitutes.

With the exception of the continued absence of Williams, the Sharks look as close to full strength as they have been this season and on paper at least they are strong across the park. The key though is for the Sharks to take the pedigree they have on paper and translate it into action on the field of play.

Hollywoodbets Sharks team: Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Jason Jenkins, Eben Etzebeth (captain), Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Bradley Davids, Francois Venter, Yaw Penxe.

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