Erasmus hands Porthen Springbok debut vs Japan
South Africa is set to compete against Japan at Wembley Stadium in the first match of the November Autumn series. With several overseas players missing due to scheduling, Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a strong lineup that includes young talent like Zachary Porthen, making him the youngest prop debutant since 1994. The Springboks have opted for experienced backs and forwards, with Cheslin Kolbe set to start at fullback and several key players in the loose trio. The bench is packed with potential, hinting at strategic plays for their next major fixture against France.
- South Africa vs Japan at Wembley Stadium.
- Debut for 1994's youngest prop, Zachary Porthen.
- Experienced lineup; France fixture next.
Zachary Porthen in action in the U20 Rugby Championship (Getty Images)
South Africa will face Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening in their first match of the November Autumn series. The match falls outside of the international window, so a few players from overseas-based clubs are unavailable.
Rassie Erasmus has surprised many with his team selection against Japan with many first-choice players featuring. However, Zachary Porthen will make his debut in the front-row after impressing in the United Rugby Championship and also previously as the captain of the Baby Boks.
Porthen is the youngest prop to debut for the green and gold since Ollie le Roux in 1994, quite a statement and a clear indication that Erasmus has big plans for the front-row man.
Damian Willemse picked up a hamstring injury for the Stormers last week, so he is unavailable, which means Cheslin Kolbe makes only his second-ever start at fullback for South Africa.
Ethan Hooker starts at 14 with Kurt-Lee Arendse at 11. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are back together in midfield with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf and Cobus Reinach at scrumhalf.
If the backs are full of experience, the forwards are even more so. Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert and Siya Kolisi make up the loose trio with Lood de Jager and RG Snyman starting in the second row.
Zachary Porthen will be surrounded by experience from the back and alongside him wiht Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche completing the front-row.
There is plenty of excitement on the bench as well with Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Andre Esterhuizen, Kwagga Smith, Manie Libbok and Grant Williams coming off the wood.
Next weekend sees one of the most anticipated fixtures of this November series when France hosts the Springboks in Paris. Many of these players are expected to feature, although Erasmus is known for throwing a spanner or six in the mix.
Springbok Squad vs Japan (1 November 2025)
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
5 Lood de Jager
4 RG Snyman
3 Zachary Porthen
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 Johan Grobbelaar
17 Gerhard Steenekamp
18 Wilco Louw
19 Ruan Nortje
20 Andre Esterhuizen
21 Kwagga Smith
22 Grant Williams
23 Manie Libbok
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