Lucky Am makes Sharks comeback

by | Sep 4, 2025 | African Golf News

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World Cup-winning Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am is back for the Sharks after a lengthy injury layoff.

The 31-year-old makes his return off the bench for a Sharks Invitational side against Saracens in Durban on Friday afternoon as he looks to get match-fit ahead of the new Vodacom URC season.

The Sharks Invitational team includes many of the players who’ve been on Currie Cup duty so far but with the added experience of the likes of lock Jason Jenkins, captain Tino Mavesere and later off the bench, Am.

There are also a number of new faces, with Paarl-born front-row twins Kayden and Cohen Kiewit packing down on either side of hooker Willem van der Hever. The pair are teammates this time round, having scrummed against each other in the Varsity Cup for UJ and CUT.

Meanwhile, Vincent Tshituka will lead the Sharks in their final Currie Cup clash of the season against the Pumas at Kings Park on Friday night.

JP Pietersen’s side includes several URC regulars, including the other Tshituka brother Emmanuel and the likes of Phepsi Buthelezi and Jaden Hendrickse.

The result of this match could have massive ramifications in the chase for semi-final places. The Pumas sit fifth on the table with 20 points, just one shy of a playoff spot, and a bonus-point win could catapult them into the top four.

MORE: Ackers turns to Currie Cup for URC prep

The Sharks, second-last on the log, are looking to build on their recent two-game winning streak. The last time these sides met in Nelspruit last August, they played out a remarkable 44-44 draw.

The early game against Saracens kicks off at 4pm, with the Currie Cup clash following at 7pm.

SHARKS INVITATIONAL – 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Aiden de Villiers, 13 Christie Grobbelaar, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Jannes Potgieter, 7 Matt Ramao, 6 Tino Mavesere (c), 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Cohen Kiewit, 2 Willem van der Hever, 1 Kayden Kiewit.
Bench: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Meno Barnard, 21 Coetzee le Roux, 22 Ceano Everson, 23 Chris Horak, 24 Lukhanyo Am.

LEVY: WP have to punch first

SHARKS – 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 PK Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrickse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Manu Tshituka, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Batho Hlekani, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Bench: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jaco Williams.

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images

The post Lucky Am makes Sharks comeback appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.