Lukhanyo Am is thrilled by the prospect of donning the Springbok No 12 jersey for the first time alongside Jesse Kriel in the rematch with the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

In one of 10 changes made to the team that thrashed the Wallabies in the opening round of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane, Am will return to the starting lineup at inside centre.

The veteran is more accustomed to playing at outside centre alongside battering rams Damian de Allende or Andre Esterhuizen.

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However, with the Boks looking to grow their backline options, Am gets an opportunity to show his skills in an intriguing partnership with Kriel.

“I’m really looking forward to this Test. Playing alongside a world-class player like Jesse is going to be amazing,” Am said.

“With my playing at 12 but having the understanding of what it’s like to play at outside centre, we will compliment each other on both sides of the ball.

“It’s going to be our first time running at 12 and 13 together. Inside the camp, we’ve always worked together as centres. We are really excited about this.”

Am doesn’t expect there to be much of an adjustment for him at inside centre, but could offer a different dimension to the Boks as a first receiver from scrums and lineouts.

“There is a bit of a difference. But when it’s general play, like counter attacking from kicks and defence, it’s pretty similar,” he explained.

“It will be a bit of an adjustment, but that will only be from the set pieces.

“From set piece, Doogz is the guy who gives us momentum and creates space for the outside backs. But that’s only from the set pieces. When it comes to general play, both roles are pretty similar.”

Saturday’s clash at the Optus Stadium will be Am’s second Test since he returned from the injury that ruled him out of last year’s World Cup.

The 30-year-old made his return to the Springboks in the July Test against Portugal and looked in fine fettle as he had to run the midfield solo after Andre Esterhuizen was sent off in the opening minutes in Bloemfontein.

“Injuries are part of the game. I’ve just been unfortunate to pick up injuries at crucial times which put me in an awkward position with the Springboks and Sharks.

“I’m really happy with where I’m at now. I’m just really looking forward to this Test.”

Am added that he is enjoying working under the new attacking gameplan masterminded by former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown.

“We are moving the ball. We try attacking as a team when we have the space. We have more threats to the defence with all these attacking options, that we are trying to implement in our gameplan.

“We are in a good place. The new coaching staff is boosting the squad in terms of finding new ways to improve as a group. Having the depth of quality also helps, guys starting and the guys coming to finish games. It’s really a good place to be in as a squad.”

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

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