By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Stormers’ 21-year-old tighthead prop and a former Junior Boks captain Zachary Porthen will make his debut on Saturday when the Springboks take on Japan at Wembley Stadium.
Porthen becomes the youngest prop to debut for the Boks in the professional era and will anchor a powerful front row alongside Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely settled match-day squad for the opening fixture of the November Internationals.
Erasmus retained 16 players from the match 23 that edged Argentina in the Rugby Championship decider at Twickenham, while welcoming back several senior figures.
Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager and Kurt-Lee Arendse return to the starting XV, with Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar back among the replacements. André Esterhuizen, meanwhile, continues his hybrid role as a loose forward-backline option off the bench.
Cheslin Kolbe, who has starred on the wing for most of his Bok career, forms part of an electric back three with Arendse and Ethan Hooker.
“It’s good to have Cheslin back in the mix, and he’s one of those players who can make things happen from anywhere,” said Erasmus. “He’s played fullback before, and his experience in Japan also gives us an edge going into this one.”
“Zach has proven what he can do at URC level and with the Junior Springboks. It’s a big week for him, but we believe this is the right time to give him his opportunity,” the coach added.
The Boks face an improving Japan outfit coached by Eddie Jones – a side Erasmus insists cannot be underestimated.
“They beat us in 2015 and showed their quality again at the last World Cup,” he said. “We’ll have to be sharp both mentally and physically, because anything can happen if you’re not on your game.”
Saturday’s clash at Wembley kicks off at 6:10pm (SA time).
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.