Zachary Porthen Reflects On His “Unreal” Springbok Debut At Wembley

When 21-year-old Zachary Porthen ran onto the field in the famous green and gold at Wembley, he wasn’t just living his dream he was rewriting history. The Wynberg-born prop became the youngest front-row player to debut for South Africa in the professional era, marking the moment with a performance that was both disciplined and mature beyond his years.

A Dream Realised For The Wynberg Native

“It was honestly unreal,” said Porthen after the Springboks’ victory over Japan. His words carried the kind of raw emotion that fans love to hear a young player humbled by the moment, yet fiercely determined to stay there. “It was a dream come true to be on the same field as all those guys. I could only dream of it before, and now it’s come true.”

In a rain-soaked Wembley clash, Porthen delivered an industrious 48-minute shift packing down firmly in scrums, making nine tackles, hitting 13 rucks, and carrying for seven metres. For a debut under such pressure, it was the kind of performance that signaled a bright future for South African rugby’s next generation.

From Junior Bok To Springbok

Porthen’s rise has been steep but steady. A product of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development Programme, he has long been earmarked for higher honours. “I didn’t think it would come as quickly as it did,” he admitted. “I had a plan to first establish myself at the Stormers over the next four or five years. But God had a different plan, and now I’m here.”

That humility, mixed with an unwavering work ethic, has already made him a fan favourite back home particularly in Cape Town, where social media was buzzing with messages of pride and excitement from Stormers supporters.

Learning From The Best

Despite his composed showing, Porthen remains grounded about what lies ahead. “I obviously have a lot to learn,” he said. “But there are also things I can be proud of. I’ve already spoken to coach Daan [Human], and we have a couple of things to work on.”

Human, affectionately known for putting new front-rowers through his infamous “scrum dungeon” sessions, is expected to play a key role in shaping Porthen’s next phase of development.

A Glimpse Of The Future

For South African rugby fans, this debut wasn’t just about one player’s dream coming true it was a glimpse into the future of the Springbok pack. Young, confident, and deeply respectful of the jersey, Zachary Porthen’s first outing has set the tone for what could be a long and storied international career.

And as the crowd at Wembley roared, one thing was clear: this was not just another debut. It was the start of something special a new chapter in South Africa’s rugby legacy, led by a young man who still can’t quite believe it’s real.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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