The Sharks have announced the departure of Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am.
The double World Cup winner is heading back to Japan, with the Mitsubishi Dynaboars confirming his signing.
The 31-year-old, currently on the Springbok standby list for the end-of-year tour, joins Glenn Delaney’s Division One outfit ahead of the new League One season.
Am returns to Japan after a brief stint with the Kobe Steelers in 2022, where he scored three tries in six appearances.
The Dynaboars teased the move on Wednesday with a video clip showing Am in action for the Sharks during their URC win several notable additions, such as Japan-born flyhalf Shun Miyake (from Canterbury) and Olympic sevens representative Jose Seru (from the Kintetsu Liners).
Am’s arrival comes as a major boost for the Sagamihara-based club, who lost Kurt-Lee Arendse following his dazzling campaign before rejoining the Bulls. The Dynaboars finished ninth last season and have strengthened significantly for 2025.
Am becomes the fifth South African on their roster, joining Pieter Scholtz, Walt Steenkamp, Friedle Olivier and Gideon Koegelenberg. The squad also includes several notable additions, such as Japan-born flyhalf Shun Miyake (from Canterbury) and Olympic sevens representative Jose Seru (from the Kintetsu Liners).
