Lukhanyo Am is set to face Ulster on Friday as a 27-man Sharks squad arrives for a pivotal Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Belfast.

The Springbok makes a welcome return for the Sharks after a two-month stint in Japan with the Kobe Steelers. He last featured for the Durban outfit on 26 February in a 29-7 victory over Benetton in Treviso.

The 28-year-old underlined his status as one of world rugby’s best centres when he was voted the competition’s Player of the Month for February.

The Sharks occupy third place on the URC table and are leading the South African Shield, with the Durbanites chasing a home quarter-final with victory on Friday night.

However, Ulster, the Vodacom Bulls and Stormers will all hope Sean Everitt’s men slip up and use that opportunity to leapfrog them into a better log position.

Full Sharks squad
Forwards: Ox Nche, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Thomas du Toit (c), Khutha Mchunu, Lourens Adriaanse, Kerron van Vuuren, Bongi Mbonambi, Dan Jooste, Ruben van Heerden, Reniel Hugo, Hyron Andrews, Siya Kolisi, Jeandre Labuschagne, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phepsi Buthelezi, Henco Venter.
Backs: Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Cameron Wright, Curwin Bosch, Boeta Chamberlain, Marius Louw, Lukhanyo Am, Werner Kok, Marnus Potgieter, Makazole Mapimpi, Aphelele Fassi.

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