Lukhanyo Am is simply “the best centre in the world”, and the Springbok star can always produce a bit of magic regardless of where he plays on the pitch.

So says Sharks coach Sean Everitt, who is still in awe of his captain’s Man of the Match performance in this past weekend’s 29-22 win over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Victory on the Highveld made it two wins for the Durbanites over Jake White’s charges in this year’s competition, but it was Am’s breathtaking five-pointer that still has fans all atwitter.

After 15 caps Lukhanyo Am was a World Champion. Tindall didn’t know his name. After 18 he was a Lions Series Champion. Laurie Mains didn’t know his name.

You can make a number of accusations about the SA press, but ‘overhyping’ our players is not one of them.

— A-P Cronjé (@rugby_ap) February 14, 2022

“We have the best centre in the world,” Everitt told the Sharks’ official website. “His try just before half time probably put the Bulls on the back foot because it takes the wind out of your sails when you’ve just scored and then concede a try.

“When he plays 13, he’s probably one of the best players on the field. Even when we played him at 12, and if you go back to the days when he played on the wing for the Kings, he was probably the best player on the field.

“I’m totally convinced he’s the real deal. Every time he puts on a Sharks or Springbok jersey, he just seems to make magic. He’s an unbelievable rugby player.”