From no boots to world nomination

From no boots to world nomination

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus believes Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am™s 2022 World Rugby Men's Player of the Year nomination reflects the player™s fighting spirit. 

The injured Am goes up against the Ireland duo of Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier as well as 2021 winner Antoine Dupont of France for the accolade, while Bok Women wing Nomawethu Mabenge is in line for the International Rugby Players Women™s Try of the Year award.

Speaking ahead of the Boks™ third Outgoing Tour match against Italy in Genoa, Erasmus beamed with pride while reflecting on his first encounter with a young Am in the Eastern Cape.

œHe™s just a really special player, the first time Jacques [Nienaber] and I saw him was when we coached Border at club trials," Erasmus recalled. 

The 28-year-old is today recognised as one of the best in the world, but his path, like that of so many other players of colour in the Bok team, was far from simple.

œThis guy just stood out, I think he was playing with a pair of takkies. I don™t think he had boots on. We phoned an agent from there and told him to have a look at this guy as he won™t get any exposure.

œFrom being all over the place, he pushed right through to now being nominated to being one of the world™s best players of the year.

"We are very proud of him, especially because of where he came from.  I™m not going to say a poor background or disadvantaged area, I think he had to fight really hard to get into teams and systems, he concluded.

The skilled no.13 had knee surgery in September and is missed by the world champions, who have lost back-to-back matches in their 'Autumn Series' games against Ireland and France so far this month.

The Border product was named the South African Players' Player of the Year - an award voted for by his peers in the country - in September this year. 

World Rugby will announce the winner on Sunday evening in Monaco.

By Web Admin