Lukhanyo Am celebrates a try

Lukhanyo Am celebrates a try. Photo: Archives

Am rated as the leading Springbok in world rugby right now!

Lukhanyo Am is the highest-ranked Springbok in the top 20 players in world rugby currently, according to a reputable overseas publication.

Lukhanyo Am celebrates a try

Lukhanyo Am celebrates a try. Photo: Archives

According to Rugby World magazine, who have compiled a list of the 100 best players in the world, three Springboks were named in the elite Top 20, with Lukhanyo Am leading the way.

Am comes in at number seven, followed closely by Cheslin Kolbe at No 8 despite the fact his 2021 season was limited by injury setbacks. There is also room for Bok lock Eben Etzebeth at number 17.

In the full list complied by Rugby World, France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont topped their list of the 100 best players in the world right now.

According to the publication, this is how they adjudicated the full list:

The key rules are that current form is given precedence and, as we’re comparing players across formats, positions and genders – a tough task – we look at influence within their teams as well as skill-set.

We seek the opinions of writers from across the globe as well as a few international coaches and players. Then we bring together an expert panel to debate who should be on it, with a vote to determine the top ten.

READ | BOKS FINISH THE YEAR AS THE NO 1-RANKED TEAM

Rugby World’s 100 Best Players in the World Right Now – Top 20

1. Antoine Dupont

2. Ardie Savea

3. Maro Itoje

4. Michael Hooper

5. Taniela Tupou

6. Aaron Smith

7. Lukhanyo Am

8. Cheslin Kolbe

9. Tom Curry

10. Sam Whitelock

11. Abby Dow

12. Brodie Retallick

13. Rose Bernadou

14. Beauden Barrett

15. Richie Mo’unga

16. Jerry Tuwai

17. Eben Etzebeth

18. Hamish Watson

19. Courtney Lawes

20. Josh Adams

EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE ALSO RATED LUKHANYO AM AS THE BOKS’ KEY MAN (8)

The dynamic centre started in 11 out of the Boks’ 13 Tests in 2021, only sitting out the one-off game against Georgia, and one of the Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina.

There are few players as integral to the Springbok team as the 27-year-old, who is about as irreplaceable as you can get. That’s not an exaggeration when you consider he is the key lynchpin in an intricate Bok defensive system, and he marshals the backline with aplomb in this regard.

Am is seemingly tireless, with his work rate putting him right up there with the Boks’ best, with the talented midfielder regularly making key contributions on both attack and defence.

The perfect examples of this came in the first Test against the British & Irish Lions when he completed a monstrous tackle on Elliot Daly, while another highlight of the season was his no-look around-the-back pass that set up a stunning try against the All Blacks.

Like many of the Boks, there were one or two blips in his season during the team’s three-match losing streak, but that could not overshadow the fact that throughout this season, he underlined his status as surely the best outside in world rugby currently.