The Springboks will have to change their plans for the remainder of the Test season after receiving news that Lukhanyo Am may not play again this year.
Am and Springbok teammate Handre Pollard were sent back to their respective clubs, the Sharks and Leicester Tigers, to undergo treatment for knee injuries.
Both players were injured in the first Test between the Springboks and Wallabies in Sydney. It is Am’s injury which appears to be the worse of the two as the outside centre had to undergo surgery on Friday.
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According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, the recovery time is expected to keep Am out for up to 12 weeks and while there is hope he could recover quickly, he is not expected to take part in any of the remaining Test matches this year.
Am’s injury is a huge setback, especially for the end of year tour in November, when the Springboks will face the current top ranked teams in the world: Ireland and France.
Meanwhile, reports in England suggest that Pollard will be out for the next six weeks, while hooker Bongi Mbonambi will also miss the rest of the Rugby Championship, putting both in a race against time to be fit for the European tour.
It’s not every day you get to share a hospital room with the best player in the world!
Speedy recovery gents! pic.twitter.com/SpexgPJv3i
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) September 2, 2022
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
