Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones says that the recently recalled Lukhanyo Am is very much in the frame for selection should South Africa advance to the knock-out stages of the World Cup as expected.

Am, who was injured when the initial squad was announced, returned to the fray after Makazole Mapimpi was forced out of the tournament with a fracture to the skull.

Having been the starting outside centre when South Africa won the World Cup in 2019 Am brings a wealth of talent and experience to the team and, will now that he is fit again, will immediately challenge the likes of Jessie Kriel and Canan Moodie for the number 13 jersey.

Speaking to the media Jones said: “He’ll be considered just as much as anyone else, and we’ll base a lot of it on what happens in training and also consider what’s gone on in the games prior to this.

“We’ll see how he rocks up and how he performs in training over the next two weeks.

“Luckily for us Lukhanyo is quite an experienced player and has been a part of the group for many years now.

“I think probably everyone will agree that when Lukhanyo is at his best he can slot into almost any team.

“Lukhanyo was actually involved in all of our alignment camps, all of our training sessions, up to the point of us pretty much leaving for the World Cup, or the week or two before.

“He’ll be fully up to speed with how things are going here,” he added.

Am has played 35 games for South Africa and has scored six tries.