Lukhanyo Am’s shift to inside centre for Saturday’s Rugby Championship rematch with the Wallabies is the latest innovation from Rassie Erasmus – and Am is confident it will beat fruit.
The Sharks star has played at outside centre in all 36 of his Test matches, but with Damian de Allende due for a break and André Esterhuizen suspended, the Bok coach wants to explore his options at No 12 because the situation might again arise where he is without his two best players in the position.
It is a pragmatic but novel selection and not overly risky, given that Am played his junior rugby at inside centre.
Am is simply pleased to start another Test match after being in and out of the team for the past 18 months because of various injuries.
“I’m really looking forward to this Test,” Am said from Perth yesterday.
“Playing alongside a world-class player like Jesse (Kriel) is going to be amazing.”
The 30-year-old feels that his experience at No 13 is a bonus for a backline intent on spreading the ball at Optus Stadium this weekend (11.45am start, SA time).
“With my playing at 12, but having the understanding of what it’s like to play at outside centre, Jesse and I will complement each other on both sides of the ball, which should benefit the whole backline.
“It’s going to be our first time running at 12 and 13 together. Inside the camp, we’ve always worked together as centres. We are really excited about this.”
The Boks usually deploy bulldozers De Allende and Esterhuizen at 12, but Am, who is a more silky runner, doesn’t see this as an issue.
“There is a bit of a difference but when it’s general play, like counter-attacking from kicks and defence, it’s pretty similar,” he explained.
“It will be a bit of an adjustment, but that will only be from the set pieces.
“From the set piece, Doogz (De Allende) is the guy who gives us momentum and creates space for the outside backs. But that’s only from the set pieces. When it comes to general play, both roles are pretty similar.”
Saturday’s return game in Perth will be Am’s second Test since he returned from the injury that ruled him out of last year’s World Cup.
Rassie 𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘴
Episode 7: Rassie on the perfect player.
Enjoy!🍿🔊#ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/4xhVapuAbt
Injury restricted Am to just five Tests in 2022 and four in 2023. The knee problem that prevented him from initial selection for the World Cup squad opened the door for Kriel, who could hardly have made more of the opportunity.
Am was fit for the second half of the World Cup and was called up to the squad, but Kriel’s form was so good that he could not be dropped.
Am had to wait until a month ago to earn his next Test cap, in the match against Portugal in Bloemfontein, and he played with energy and skill.
“Injuries are part of the game. I’ve just been unfortunate to pick up injuries at crucial times, which put me in an awkward position with the Springboks and Sharks,” Am said.
“I’m very happy with where I’m at now. I’m just really looking forward to this Test.”
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Am said he is relishing working under new Bok attack coach Tony Brown.
“We are moving the ball. We try to attack as a team when we have the space. We have more threats to the defence with the attacking options that we are trying to implement in our game plan.
“We are in a good place. The new coaching staff is boosting the squad in terms of finding new ways to improve as a group.
“Having quality in depth also helps the guys starting and the guys coming on to finish games. It’s a very good place to be in as a squad.”