Lukhanyo Am
Lukhanyo Am (born 28 November 1993) is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team and the in the United Rugby Championship. His regular position is centre. Professional career. Am played for the Margate-based Gladiators Rugby Academy before he was called into the Under–19 squad that won the 2012 Under-19 Provincial Championship Division B and winning promotion to Division A, making six appearances and scoring three tries. After spending time with Saracens during the off-season as part of an exchange programme in conjunction with the British High Commission, he returned to  be included in the senior squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition and made his senior debut against defending champions in Paarl. Southern Kings. At the start of 2016, Am was one of two Sharks players that joined the ' Super Rugby squad for a trial period as they prepared for the 2016 Super Rugby season. Sharks. After a successful spell at Southern Kings there were high expectations that Am had to meet. He did not disappoint and played a crucial part for the Sharks, helping them reach the quarter finals of the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Super Rugby seasons. In  January 2020, Am was named captain of the Sharks for the 2020 Super Rugby season, replacing the retiring Tendai Mtawarira. International career. In 2013, Am was named in a South African Barbarians team to face Saracens in London. South Africa 'A'. In 2016, Am was included in a South Africa 'A' squad that played a two-match series against a touring England Saxons team. He came on as a replacement in their first match in Bloemfontein, but ended on the losing side as the visitors ran out 32–24 winners. He was promoted to the starting line-up for the second  match of the series, a 26–29 defeat to the Saxons in George. Am was named as captain of South Africa 'A' for the game against the British and Irish Lions on July 14, 2021. South Africa. Am was included in the South African squad for the 2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals. Am was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. South Africa won the tournament, defeating England in the final. Am played a central role in the Springboks' campaign, featuring in six out of seven matches. He assisted South Africa's first try  in a Rugby World Cup final.