The Cell C Sharks will be losing the services of their captain Lukhanyo Am for the next two months but supporters of the Durban franchise need not fear, for the Springbok World Cup winner has just committed to extend his contract with the team until 2025.
In announcing the contract extension, Sharks chief executive Dr Eduard Coetzee confirmed that as a thank you for his commitment to the Sharks, Am has been granted a two-month sojourn with Japanese club Kobe Steelers.
That means that while Am will be back for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship play-offs should the Sharks make it that far, they will be missing possibly their most influential player in what is going to be a critical home run in the league phase of the competition.
According to Coetzee, Am will join up with the Steelers as from next week, which appears to indicate he won’t be available for the next URC game against the Scarlets on Friday, 11 March, the first home game the Sharks will play in the competition against overseas opponents.
Coetzee said via a press release that the short-term release was afforded to Am based on his current commitment to the team, both in the past and in the future.
Am’s future at the Sharks has certainly been assured, with the franchise being able to rely on the World Cup winning Springbok until at least the end of the 2025 season. The Sharks said that his contract extension underlined his commitment to being part of the long-term vision and goals of the Durban based team.
The Sharks have made no secret of their desire to become the most successful club/provincial team in world rugby and Am’s decision to buy in, which follows on from the recent recruitment of former Stormers Bok World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth, is a further step towards realising that long term goal.
The Sharks also have two other former Stormers Bok World Cup winning forwards in Siya Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi on their books.
“Building a world class squad that fights for success and performs with distinction is all about identifying talent, recruiting where necessary and, above all, retaining your top players,” explained Coetzee.
“We are thrilled that Lukhanyo has thrown his full support behind what we at the Sharks are trying to achieve and he has committed his substantial abilities and player excellence to the Sharks for the next three years. His contribution to the Sharks has been phenomenal ad we look forward with eager anticipation to the next few years with him as an integral member of the team.
“At the Sharks we want to provide our players with opportunities, be it bringing in new players or those already in the system,” he added.
The Sharks have confirmed that World Cup winning captain Kolisi will take over the captaincy while Am is in Japan.