Erasmus hands Springbok debut to 21-year-old prop Porthen 

DHL Stormers' Zac Porthen arrives. Pic: Luca Sighinolfi/Inpho

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus have given a debut to prop Zachary Porthen in their starting XV for the Autumn International series test against Japan and switched Cheslin Kolbe from wing to full-back for Saturday’s clash at Wembley Stadium.

Porthen, 21, is a former Junior Springbok captain who has played a handful of games in the United Rugby Championship for the Cape Town-based Stormers, but has impressed Erasmus enough to start.

"Obviously, he has a lot to learn this week, but we have experienced players in the squad who have been helping and guiding him, and we believe this is the right match to give him an opportunity to prove what he can do," Erasmus said.

"At this level, you have to sink or swim, so although it will be a challenging week for him to learn our structures, it will also be a very exciting week for him."

Also back in the side are wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, flanker Franco Mostert and lock Lood de Jager, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been selected at fly-half alongside number nine Cobus Reinach.

South Africa: C Kolbe; E Hooker, J Kriel, D de Allende, K-L Arendse; S Feinberg-Mngomezulu, C Reinach; O Nche, M Marx, Z Porthen; RG Snyman, L de Jager; S Kolisi, F Mostert, J Wiese.

Replacements: J Grobbelaar, G Steenekamp, W Louw, R Nortje, A Esterhuizen, K Smith, G Williams, M Libbok.

Agencies