Sharks assistant coach Joey Mongalo says returning Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am is “hungry to play” against a “confrontational” Connacht side on Saturday.
Am has been named to start at outside centre as the Sharks look for a first win of the season following a dreadful run of results on their campaign-opening four-week tour.
It will be Am’s first game since the August World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires, where he suffered the knee injury that ruled him out of the tournament in France.
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The 29-year-old is the first of the World Cup-winning Springboks to make an on-field return to the South African franchises.
“Lukhanyo has been with us a bit longer than the other Springboks,” defence coach Mongalo said. “He has trained with us a couple of times. So he is definitely quite connected to what we are doing. He will definitely add value on defence and attack. It’s great to have a Springbok with his experience.
“It’s just about how quickly he can connect with the rest of the backs to add the value we all know he has. He will be a man who is hungry to play again. It has been a while since he’s played, so for him personally, it’s great to see him back on the field.”
While Connacht have travelled without star Ireland centre Bundee Aki, who is recovering from injury, Mongalo says the in-form Irish side still packs more than a punch in midfield.
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“Irish sides have always got some form of connectedness, because the governing body gives an idea of how they should play. So you see similar things in all of them.
“Connacht are slightly different. They have started well, winning three out of four. For an Irish side, I think they are incredibly physical. They are confrontational. So they still have the ability to play around you, but there is also a sense that they can play through you.
“Their centres are all 1,8m to 1,9m and weigh around 110 kilograms. They are big boys and won’t shy away from the confrontational stuff. They are slightly different to Munster and Leinster in their desire to be confrontational in they way they go about their business.”
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