Lukhanyo Am backs Sharks' Springbok reinforcements to counter Leinster's aerial threat

Sharks midfielder Lukhanyo Am feels the return of the likes of Springboks Ethan Hooker and Makazole Mapimpi should offer protection against the aerial bombardment that is a key part of Leinster’s attacking arsenal.

The Durban side will face the reigning United Rugby Championship champions in the third round at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with both teams still searching for a first win of the campaign.

“We’re really excited about this game. Leinster coming from tour, their first game at home, and with British & Irish Lions joining them, and we’ve also had a boost from some of the Springbok guys who will be joining us, so we really want to finish the tour on a high, and we’re really looking forward to this game,” Am said in an online media briefing on Tuesday afternoon.

Leinster took to the skies often in Saturday’s defeat against the Bulls at Loftus and should once again rely heavily on their tactical kicking game when they return to their home fortress.

The Sharks players have been far from convincing under the high ball in their first two matches, though conditions have been far from ideal and some players have been forced to play out of position. Am feels Hooker and Mapimpi offer a potential fix to a problem area, given their proven prowess under the high ball.

“They’re very crucial to our team. They’re quality players; they’ll fit in perfectly for us. That kicking game that you have, which is mostly contestable, they’ve been doing it for us in past seasons, they’ve been doing it at Springbok level, so having them in the squad will definitely help us,” he said.

The Sharks have two points from the 17-all draw with the Dragons, while Leinster only have the one bonus point from the match against the Bulls. The Sharks could have been on four points at least, but failed to turn their dominance against the Dragons, especially in the scrums, into the ‘W’. Am admits they cannot afford to let that happen again this weekend against the wounded giants.

“They’re a quality side, and when you’re facing quality sides, it’s when you need to capitalise on opportunities that you get,” he said.

"They’ve got great players and systems, but at the end of the day, individuals make big plays, so for us it’s just when you do create and get opportunities, nine times out of 10 you capitalise, because quality sides don’t give you a lot of opportunities.

The former Bok midfield star is on the comeback trail after a knee injury and feels Saturday’s match could be an important measure of whether he is anywhere near back to his best.

“Playing a quality side like Leinster in their back yard is probably the games where you want to measure yourself individually and as a team, because they’re a quality side.”

Saturday’s match at the Aviva Stadium will kick off at 6.30pm.