Lukhanyo Am has a bright future ahead of him.
Images via Twitter:
@rugbypass
‘Flew him up for nothing’: Outrage over Lukhanyo Am’s Springboks squad exclusion
Missed opportunity? Springbok supporters are questioning why Lukhanyo Am was left off the squad to face France on Sunday…
Lukhanyo Am has a bright future ahead of him.
Images via Twitter:
@rugbypass
Despite being a seasoned Springbok who helped bring home the Rugby World Cup trophy in 2019, Lukhanyo Am has been left off the squad set to face France on Sunday.
On Friday, coach Jacques Nienaber named an “experienced” group of players who will take on the host country in a quarter-final game.
The game will take place at the Stade De France.
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SPRINGBOKS SQUAD REVEAL: WHERE IS LUKHANYO AM?
On Friday, 13 October, South Africans woke up to the official Springbok squad reveal for the clash against France.
The list included several players who helped lift the trophy in 2019, including Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Damian Willemse, Franco Mostert, and more.
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But fans were generally happy with the selection, they were concerned about one omission: Lukhanyo Am.
The player returned to the squad earlier this month to replace Makazole Mapimpi, who was injured in the Boks’s game against Tonga. Since then, Lukhanyo has been an active feature in daily training practises and has even drummed up supporters on social media.
Now, fans are wondering what his inclusion in the Rugby World Cup squad was for, given his exclusion from Sunday’s game. And with SA going into the knock-out quarter-final stages, losing a match would mean Lukhanyo’s wasted experience.
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One tweep posted: “Why is Lukhanyo not in the squad? I know he might not be 100% fit but what if it’s our last game?”
Another posted: “If we lose, they flew Lukhanyo Am up for nothing.”
A third added: “So Lukhanyo Am was just called to add numbers and not part of the matchday squad.”
JACQUES NIENABER: WHY HE CHOSE THESE PLAYERS
Meanwhile, coach Jacques Nienaber explained his rationale for picking the Springboks quarter-final squad.
He said: “Most of these players have Rugby World Cup experience, and several of them were involved in the 2019 final, so they know what it takes to perform in big moments.”
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He continued: “Twenty of these players were also in the matchday squad that played France in Marseille last season, which was a good dress rehearsal for what we can expect from France and their supporters.”
Last week, Lukhanyo revealed he was ready to take on the Rugby World Cup.
Speaking at a media conference, he said: “It’s a good feeling to be back. It was frustrating having to follow the World Cup from home. It was as though something you love is taken away from you”.
Lukhanyo added that he has been cleared to play and is ready to hit the pitch running when needed.
He continued: “I’ve been working hard on getting my fitness levels as high as possible. Especially given the demands of international rugby.
