The Sharks have received a massive boost ahead of their Currie Cup clash with the Vodacom Bulls as captain Lukhanyo Am has rejoined training.

Am has been out since October after the Springbok centre suffered a hand injury, but was back at training this week as the Sharks prepare for their crucial game against the Bulls.

In his absence, Henco Venter and Jeremy Ward have captained the team, but it is likely that Am could lead the team out at Kings Park on Saturday.

The Sharks captain is one of a number of players coach Sean Everitt has been able to welcome back while the team had their bye last week.

This is particularly with regard to the loose trio as Henco Venter, James Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Celimpilo Gumede have all returned from Covid-19 isolation.

The Sharks have also been boosted at tighthead prop as John-Hubert Meyer and Michael Kumbirai have also rejoined training while, after playing 40 minutes in the Currie Cup opener against the Pumas, Thomas du Toit could get even more game time against the Bulls.

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The Bulls are currently in a comfortable position at the top of the table, eight points clear of the second-placed Sharks.

However, this could quickly change and the Sharks could revitalise their hopes of finishing in first place with a win this weekend, especially as they currently have a game in hand after this past weekend’s bye.

There is also something of a personal score to settle as the Sharks have suffered 40-point losses in their last two encounters with the Bulls in Super Rugby Unlocked and the Super Fan Saturday, both at Loftus Versfeld.

‘The players feel they let themselves down in those games and it is fair to say they want to prove a point on Saturday,’ Sharks chief executive Eduard Coetzee said, after confirming that the team returned a clean bill of health from the Covid-19 tests this week.

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