The remarkable stats behind Lukhanyo Am's Ellis Park performance
STAT ATTACK: Lukhanyo Am was undoubtedly the star of the show in South Africa’s 23-35 defeat to the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Am terrorised the All Blacks’ defence with every chance he got and scored a sensational try in the first half, which sparked the Boks into life after going down 0-15.
And who can forget that moment in the second half when Am split the New Zealand defence apart with an amazing run before he sprayed the ball wide for Makazole Mapimipi to score. However, the try was tragically disallowed after the officials spotted some “obstruction” in the build-up.
What made the centre’s performance even more remarkable was that he played most of the game on the wing after an early injury to Jesse Kriel.
Am was hailed by some fans as “the world’s best player” after that performance and the stats certainly back it up.
Lukhanyo Am’s incredible form continues 🔥
Is he one of the best players in the world right now?#RSAvNZL #TRC2022 pic.twitter.com/yhv83QpNkV
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 15, 2022
He notched up 137 metres (the most in the game) with his eight carries.
With those carries, he beat five defenders and he made four line breaks.
According to Opta’s stats, Am’s four line breaks were “the most by any Springboks player in a match since 2019 [Damian Willemse, four v Canada)”.
“The last player from any nation to make more in a Rugby Championship match was Sami Kerevi in 2016 [six v Argentina].”
Will the Springbok coaching team consider giving Am more opportunities on the wing after that performance?
Statistical information provided by Opta Data
4 – Lukhanyo Am made 4 line breaks against the All Blacks at the weekend, the most by any @Springboks player in a match since 2019 (Damian Willemse, 4 v Canada); the last player from any nation to make more in a @SanzarTRC match was Sami Kerevi in 2016 (6 v Argentina). Amazing. pic.twitter.com/NkY35PaodU
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) August 15, 2022
