The fascinating reason Lukhanyo Am is missing half a finger
Did you know? Springbok Lukhanyo Am is missing half his middle finger on his left hand. Here is the reason why…
Lukhanyo Am is back in the Springboks squad and ready to take on the Rugby World Cup. But fans have made an interesting observation about the national team player.
Lukhanyo is partially missing his middle finger on his left finger.
WHY IS LUKHANYO AM MISSING A FINGER?
On Wednesday, 4 October, Lukhanyo Am made his first appearance at training in Toulon, France.
The 29-year-old – who helped SA win the 2019 Rugby World Cup – was called up following the announcement of Makazole Mapimpi’s injury earlier this week.
But fans spotted an unusual sighting in a clip of his return – Lukhanyo has half a middle finger on his left hand.
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Rugby commentator Jared Knight said this is due to a common Xhosa custom called iNgqithi.
I was today years old when I found out that Lukhanyo Am does not have a full length middle finger on his left hand. 😮
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 4, 2023
Can’t believe I missed that. 😅#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Zk5Vm8QBJf
Lukhanyo was born and raised in the East London village of Zwelitsha township.
According to Wsusna, the ancient practise of amputating the finger is performed in certain Xhosa tribes on young children to prevent bedwetting.
Traditional healer Khayelethu Ngalo told the publication: “If a child didn’t do Ingqithi at an early stage of his or her life, they start developing the habit of wetting the bed, become mentally disturbed and or even start to injure themselves by biting the little finger.”
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FOR THE LOVE OF RUGBY
Meanwhile, Lukhanyo Am has spoken about being pressured to play soccer instead of rugby as a young boy.
He told Rugby World: “I loved rugby from a kid, but my mom told me I had to play soccer. I told her, ‘No, ma. I like rugby. One day you will see me in these colours’.”
However, he was more keen on playing cricket instead.
He added to the Sowetan: “I loved rugby from a kid, but my mom told me I had to play soccer. I told her, ‘No, ma. I like rugby. One day you will see me in these colours’.”
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