Lukhanyo Am returns for the Sharks this weekend

Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am will make his long-awaited return this weekend when the Hollywoodbets Sharks play Connacht in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash.

Am was part of the Springboks team that claimed their fourth Rugby World Cup title last month.

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The 29-year-old was initially ommited from the 33-man squad due to injury but was recalled after Makazole Mapimpi was ruled out of the tournament following a fractured eye socket.

Although he joined the squad ahead of the Springboks’ quarter-final match, Lukhanyo Am did not make an appearance in the tournament.

The Sharks will face Irish side Connacht without the Boks duo of Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch.

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“Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch both have knee injuries,” head coach John Plumtree confirmed.

LUKHANYO AM TO PLAY HIS FIRST GAME IN THREE MONTHS

“Vincent will be back after three months, Bongi will be out longer, it could be the whole season. The rest of the Boks are good to go and looking forward to it, but I have left them alone during this enforced rest period. It was really important that they didn’t get a phone call from me, but next week they’ll be hearing from me and we’ll get them all back and see where they are individually,” he said.

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Plumtree expects a tough game at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge for us, they’re a pretty consistent side, a real threat. We’re going to have to play really well and I’m hoping our energy for this first game back home is high, and that we get a good crowd that cheers us on.”

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