At just 21, Zachary Porthen has scrummed his way into the history books becoming the youngest Springbok prop of the professional era and holding his own in a 61-7 demolition job over Japan at Wembley Stadium.
If the debut was a baptism of fire, Porthen emerged not singed, but shining. The former Junior Springbok captain joined the senior squad barely five days before the Test and walked off the hallowed turf 48 minutes later with his head held high.
He hit 13 rucks, made nine tackles, and anchored a scrum that rumbled like a freight train through Tokyo steel.
Zachary Porthen
“It was honestly unreal,” said an awestruck Porthen
“It was a dream come true to be on the same field as all those guys I’ve looked up to. I could only dream of it before, and now it’s come true. It’s crazy.”
For a young tighthead who has played only five senior matches for the Stormers, the step up to Test rugby could’ve been daunting. But Porthen credits the men beside him, Bok veterans like Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Franco Mostert, and RG Snyman, for steadying his nerves.
“The rugby was quick, just as I thought it would be, but what gave me confidence was the guys around me,” he said.
“They kept reminding me that if something goes wrong, it’s a team thing. They said, ‘Zach, don’t worry, we’ve got your back.’ That gave me confidence, and it was great.”
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who isn’t shy to blood youth, gave a quiet nod of approval after the match. His gamble paying off as Porthen’s scrummaging and work rate stood up to Test intensity.
The occasion didn’t hit the Cape-born powerhouse until the final whistle.
Zach Porthen has to ‘sink or swim’ as Boks Face Japan at Wembley
“This week went by so quickly for me, so after the game was the first moment I got to take it all in, and I actually got emotional,” he reflected.
“When I walked out into the stadium, I actually felt so insignificant, because the stadium is so big.
“But as the game went on, you realise what this all means as players. I am pretty proud that I got the first game under my belt.”
Porthen’s next battle is not against an opposition pack, but against complacency.
“Five years down the line, I hope to still be in the setup. I’ve gotten here now, but I think the tough thing is staying here,” he said.
“My aim is just to become a better player and scrummager. I thought I did okay … a lot of work-ons for myself. I’m going back to the drawing board.”
That drawing board, it seems, includes a visit to scrum coach Daan Human’s famous “farm” the Boks scrum gurus’ boot camp of sorts.
“I’ve already spoken to coach Daan, and he says there are a couple of things we need to get into,” Porthen laughed.
“I’m going to take it one day at a time, one step at a time, one training session at a time.
“This is definitely what I have wanted to do my whole life. This is my highlight. I am grateful to be here, and I hope I can stay here. That is the next step.”
For now, South Africa has found another diamond in the rough. And if his first outing is anything to go by, Zachary Porthen has the makings of a front-row titan ready to anchor Bok scrums for years to come.
Featured Pics: A very young Zachary Porthen and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi
