Sharks and Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am says experiencing a different rugby culture will be important for the future of his career after arriving in Japan for his stint with Kobe Steelers.
As part of his contract extension with the Sharks, which will keep him in Durban until 2025, Am has been granted a brief sabbatical to join Kobe Steelers in Japan.
Am will be spending two months with the Japan League One side, before returning to the Sharks in time for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs.
As Sharks coach Sean Everitt revealed this week, Am was originally set to join Kobe last year, but travel restrictions scuppered the move.
“Towards the end of last season, I was told by the Steelers about coming to Japan,” Am said in an interview with Yahoo! Japan. “However, because of the coronavirus, the border was not open and I couldn’t come to Japan.
“I’m just looking forward to coming to Japan. I enjoyed it when I came to Japan at the 2019 World Cup. It was also good to understand Japanese people and culture. It was not difficult to make a decision to get a chance to come to Japan this time.”
Former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, who won the World Cup in 2011 and 2015 and mentored the likes of Dan Carter, Sonny Bill Williams and Beauden Barrett, currently serves as Kobe’s director of rugby.
At Kobe, Am will be linking up with former Stormers lock JD Schickerling, as well as former All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden and Japan international centre Timothy Lafaele.
“I had been interacting with Wayne before joining,” Am said. “Most of the talk was about the team. The history of the team and the style of play.
“I think everyone does, but I want to grow as a player every day. I want to improve consistency. In Kobe, I can play under a different coach. I have a different coach’s mindset and way of thinking.
“I want to contribute to my career, and I want to make use of what I learned here even after returning to Sharks in South Africa. I feel that this period will be important for a long career.”
