Verity-Amm has been out of action after suffering a horrific knee injury during the 46-14 win against the SWD Eagles in George during last year’s SA Cup.

The fleet-footed and unpredictable player has been running in training of late and recently started training with the team in contact, while he has been putting in the extra hours with regard to his kicking skills.

Verity-Amm, who was the last man left at training on Monday, told OFM Sport that he cannot wait to take to the field again.

James Verity-Amm. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s been about nine or ten months since I’ve played, so I’ve just got back into training now, and I’m itching at the moment to get back out there,” said Verity-Amm, who put in the hard yards at training on Monday.

“It’s just nice to start integrating a bit now, to kick a bit, and to get in with the boys. I just can’t wait to be out there again. I want to make the most of my time playing rugby. 

“I love playing the game, and I love doing these small things. I just want to be the best that I can be, so hopefully I’ll continue to do this in the future, and hopefully, it pays off.”

Verity-Amm will play an important role as one of the senior players in the backline, and one of the coaches remarked that they want him to play a similar role to the one Springbok great Percy Montgomery filled when he joined the Sharks back in 2006.

Verity-Amm added that it’s important to guide younger players and help keep the game alive. “It’s nice to give back to the boys, to help out, and to see it paying off. It’s just nice that I can, in a way, put a little bit of my own footprint on the game by helping these guys.”

The player has also welcomed the addition of the legendary Ruan Pienaar to the coaching staff as the backline coach. Pienaar retired from the game less than a year ago and still participates in the fitness drills with the team. Verity-Amm feels there is no better person to learn from.

James Verity-Amm. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s great to be coached by Pine. He has obviously done it at the highest level for a very long time. He’s an extremely talented and knowledgeable guy. As much as we can learn from him, we should take on. 

“He’s been great in the first couple of weeks so far. So, yeah, I’m just looking forward to keeping working with him and seeing the impact he’s going to have on us.”

The Cheetahs are currently busy with their preseason preparations for the SA Cup, which is set to kick off on the weekend of 7 to 9 March.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh