Overview
- Porthen earned his first cap in the Wembley victory over Japan, becoming South Africa’s youngest prop to debut in the professional era.
- He logged 48 minutes with strong scrummaging, 13 rucks hit, nine tackles and one carry before being replaced early in the second half by Wilco Louw.
- Rassie Erasmus expressed satisfaction with the outing, and scrum coach Daan Human outlined technical areas for immediate improvement.
- The tighthead said his confidence was boosted by senior teammates’ support and that he aims to remain in the national setup.
- His rapid call-up followed limited senior experience at the Stormers and a run of injuries, unavailability and a ban among established Springbok tightheads, with the squad now shifting to Paris to prepare for France.