Am and Esterhuizen remind us of the value of combinations

When a new broom sweeps through at national level, local rugby folk tend to focus on individuals.

Who is going to be Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok captain?

Who’ll fill the troublesome fullback position?

Who’s going to challenge Malcolm Marx in the No 2 jersey?

Ironically, Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am is one of those players as his accomplished showings in Super Rugby to date has led to numerous calls that he needs to be included in the national side when England visit in June.

However, in the rush to identify key individuals, the value of established combinations tend to be neglected.

And that’s where Am also shows his worth.

When the 24-year-old and his midfield partner Andre Esterhuizen were picked together in 2017, they immediately made an impression.

Esterhuizen, a strapping man mountain hailing from Klerksdorp, is the enforcer – a robust inside centre who loves to take contact.

Outside him is Am, the clever and reliable playmaker with a diverse set of skills.

It was noticeable how the Sharks found the going tougher when the duo weren’t present together last year.

2018 has already been a treat.

Am, brimming with confidence after his belated Springbok debut late last year, has found a nose for the tryline and is running superb angles on attack while still tackling with vigour.

Meanwhile, Esterhuizen has been a revelation since returning from Japan, making the second most linebreaks to date and adding a more refined, effective way of off-loading in the tackle.

He is no crash-baller anymore.

But the point here is that the two players clearly bring the best out of each other and that’s refreshing amid all the focus on individual players.

“This is a combination that has played together for a bit and like all great combinations they’ve needed time,” said Sharks coach Robert du Preez out of Canberra, where the Durbanites are preparing for Saturday’s meeting with the Brumbies.

“Andre and Lukhanyo have really complemented each other and both are great ball players who are defensively sound.  They have been outstanding so far. They will only get better as the season goes on.”

They’ve definitely been complemented even more by the presence of Robert du Preez jr at flyhalf, who’s game management has been encouraging.

“The role that Rob has played at No 10 in controlling our attack has helped their game as well,” his father admitted.

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