Zachary Porthen (21) makes history as youngest Springboks prop ever

Zachary Porthen's rapid rise from the Ikey Tigers (University of Cape Town) to the Springboks squad has been remarkable.

South African coach Rassie Erasmus has named Porthen in his 23-man match-day squad to face Japan on Saturday at 6:10 pm at Wembley Stadium in London.

Porthen will make history as the youngest prop ever to join the Springbok squad.

The talented tighthead prop, a former pupil of Wynberg Boys’ Junior and High Schools in Cape Town, captained his school’s rugby team and led them with distinction. Earlier this year, he played a key role in UCT’s victorious 2025 Varsity Cup campaign.

Renowned for his physical presence and leadership, Porthen captained Wynberg during his matric year in 2022 and later led the Craven Week side.

After captaining the Junior Springboks in 2024, he now boasts two years of professionalrugby experience. His inclusion in the Western Province 2024 Currie Cup squad marked the start of a meteoric rise that has now earned him a well-deserved Springbok call-up.

Justin van Winkel, coach of the first team in rugby at Porthen's former high school, said it was "absolutely incredible" to see him soar.

"He started to play first team in Grade 11. The South African selectors and scouts were asking about players, and we sent them some information, footage and stats, and they came back and he was ranked as the best prop in the country, and we said, 'Yep, spot on.'"

"If you're 1.9 metres tall and weigh 125 kg and you can run like that and move like that and you've got a skillset, we knew he was destined for very big things.

"We can trust the system, we can trust the school, we can trust the province, the union and the varsity; these guys can come through the system. No longer do they have to sit in the Springboks camp for two years before they get a nod. It' incredible how these youngsters can step into these roles at 20 or 21."

To listen to Van Winkel in conversation with Lester Kiewit on CapeTalk's Breakfast Show, click below: