Sharks boss banks on ‘rusty’ Lucky

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Neil Powell hopes to get “20 minutes or so” out of a fit-again Lukhanyo Am when the Sharks and Bordeaux clash in the Champions Cup at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Friday.

Am, who has been sidelined since September following knee surgery, is set to make his competition debut off the bench as the Sharks director of rugby has largely stuck with the same lineup that beat Harlequins in Durban last week.

His presence against Bordeaux later in the game will undoubtedly underline why he was nominated for the 2022 World Men’s Player of the Year award, yet speaking at a Sharks media conference on Thursday, Powell was cautiously optimistic while he extolled the quality of the Springbok centre.

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“Lucky has been injured for quite a long time and it’s important we get him back on the field and give him a fair bit of time off the bench,” he told reporters.

“Will he shoot the lights out? I think he is a quality player and we all know it. He is very very experienced and talented and one of those X-factor players that can create opportunities for you out of nothing.

“He might still be a little rusty, maybe, but I’m also keen to see him back and in what type of form he is in, so good to have him back.

“Hopefully he will enjoy his 20 minutes or so on the field and get back to his form.”

Meanwhile, fellow Bok Thomas du Toit replaces tighthead prop Carlu Sadie, and Ntuthuko Mchunu comes in for the suspended Ox Nche at loosehead, as the only changes to the starting XV.

Powell added: “It’s important that we have a strong scrum against them [Bordeaux], it could be one of the areas that we can target them.

“It is a pity that we don’t have Ox available because of his red card, but we all have hope in Mchunu and what he is capable of, and it’s a great opportunity for him, and for Dian Bleuler when he comes onto the field.”

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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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Devin Hermanus