Mzwandile Stick said it wouldn’t be fair to shove Lukhanyo Am straight back into the Springbok lineup, despite the centre indicating he is ready for a World Cup playoff.
Am arrived at the Bok camp in Toulon on Wednesday, after being recalled as an injury replacement for close friend and winger Makazole Mapimpi.
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The centre suffered a knee injury in the team’s World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires early in August, but could make his return when the Springboks face hosts France in the quarter-finals next Sunday.
However, speaking to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Bok assistant coach Stick threw cold water on the expectation that Am will immediately return to the starting lineup.
“I don’t think it would be fair to Lukhanyo to just arrive here and play straight away,” Stick was quoted by Rapport.
“I’m not saying we won’t consider him (for the quarter-finals), but this is the first week he’s been training with the team again.
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“If things go well with us in the tournament, there is no doubt in my mind that Lukhanyo will be considered for a possible semi-final.”
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