The unexpected elevation of Zachary Porthen to the Springboks squad by head coach Rassie Erasmus has certainly turned heads, with the young tighthead prop set to prove his mettle in the upcoming European tour. Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani has thrown his weight behind Porthen, predicting a strong performance from the rookie during the high-stakes matches.
Porthen, a standout even among the seasoned players of the Stormers following significant injuries within the team, has been the only uncapped player summoned by Erasmus for a grueling series of five Tests. His journey from captaining the South Africa U20 side to stepping onto the international stage in just over a year speaks volumes about his rapid development and the faith placed in him.
The Boks are slated to begin their tour at London's Wembley Stadium against Japan on November 1, followed by games against France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales. At just 21, Porthen is at the very start of what promises to be a fruitful career, with tighthead props typically peaking much later.
Porthen's rapid rise is no fluke. His scrummaging prowess, honed in battles against top-tier talent like retired Springbok Steven Kitshoff and seasoned pro Ali Vermaak, has been crucial. Hlungwani's confidence in Porthen's abilities is palpable.
"It’s not a big surprise for us that he’s been called up,"
Hlungwani remarked. "You get Zach scrumming on a Tuesday against some of the best looseheads in the world."
The forwards coach is bullish about Porthen's potential for growth and impact.
"We haven’t seen the best of him yet. He still has a lot to learn — to make a few mistakes, pick up that experience and improve,"
Hlungwani explained, adding that Porthen's work ethic and quick learning curve bode well for his future.
As the Stormers continue their own campaign in Italy, all eyes will be on Porthen to carry his form into the international arena, transforming potential into performance on one of rugby's biggest stages.
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The unexpected elevation of Zachary Porthen to the Springboks squad by head coach Rassie Erasmus has certainly turned heads, with the young tighthead prop set to prove his mettle in the upcoming European tour. Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani has thrown his weight behind Porthen, predicting a strong performance from the rookie during the high-stakes matches.
Porthen, a standout even among the seasoned players of the Stormers following significant injuries within the team, has been the only uncapped player summoned by Erasmus for a grueling series of five Tests. His journey from captaining the South Africa U20 side to stepping onto the international stage in just over a year speaks volumes about his rapid development and the faith placed in him.
The Boks are slated to begin their tour at London's Wembley Stadium against Japan on November 1, followed by games against France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales. At just 21, Porthen is at the very start of what promises to be a fruitful career, with tighthead props typically peaking much later.
Porthen's rapid rise is no fluke. His scrummaging prowess, honed in battles against top-tier talent like retired Springbok Steven Kitshoff and seasoned pro Ali Vermaak, has been crucial. Hlungwani's confidence in Porthen's abilities is palpable.
"It’s not a big surprise for us that he’s been called up,"
Hlungwani remarked. "You get Zach scrumming on a Tuesday against some of the best looseheads in the world."The forwards coach is bullish about Porthen's potential for growth and impact.
"We haven’t seen the best of him yet. He still has a lot to learn — to make a few mistakes, pick up that experience and improve,"
Hlungwani explained, adding that Porthen's work ethic and quick learning curve bode well for his future.As the Stormers continue their own campaign in Italy, all eyes will be on Porthen to carry his form into the international arena, transforming potential into performance on one of rugby's biggest stages.