Zachary Porthen, the 21-year-old Stormers prop, has received a significant endorsement from his club following his unexpected selection for the Springboks’ upcoming end-of-year tour. Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani believes the young forward is far from his peak and will continue to develop. Porthen’s rapid ascent marks a major milestone in his fledgling career....Click to Read More >>➤

The former Junior Springbok captain only made his senior debut for the Stormers in May of this year. He appeared as a second-half substitute in their United Rugby Championship (URC) victory over the Dragons. This season, his involvement has increased, featuring off the bench against Leinster and Scarlets before earning his first start against Zebre just last weekend.

His performances have not gone unnoticed. Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson praised his display against Zebre. Hlungwani echoed this sentiment, highlighting the player’s potential for growth. “We’re still going to see a lot of him,” Hlungwani stated. “He’s still a young guy, but he’s put his hand up with how he runs around the field, he’s got a high work rate and great soft skills.”

Rapid Development in the Scrum

Hlungwani pointed to Porthen’s scrummaging as a key area of improvement. The young prop has benefited immensely from training against world-class talent within the Stormers’ system. This daily competition has been crucial for his development. “He’s improved his scrumming a lot, working against experienced players at training,” Hlungwani explained. “He’s someone who learns quickly, and we’re quite excited because we know he’s only at the beginning of what he can be.”

The coach revealed that Porthen’s Springbok call-up was not a shock within the camp. He credited the intense weekly training sessions for preparing him for the highest level. “I always talk about our Tuesday scrum sessions, so it’s not a big surprise for us that he’s been called up,” Hlungwani said. “Zach has been scrumming against some of the best looseheads around the world.” This experience, facing the likes of Steven Kitshoff and Ali Vermaak, has given him a foundation rare for a player his age.

Stormers Approach to International Break

As the Stormers prepare for their final URC match before the international window, their approach differs from other South African teams. While some franchises are resting their national team players, the Stormers plan to utilize their Springboks. Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who has joined the squad, is available for selection and is quickly adapting to the team’s structures.

Hlungwani confirmed that individual plans are in place for each player. “We have different plans with our Springboks. We’ve made individual plans about who’s going to play this game and who’s going to be rested. It’s totally different to how other teams are approaching it,” he explained. The addition of Reinach is seen as a major positive for the team as they look to build momentum.

Zachary Porthen’s inclusion in the Springbok setup is a testament to his rapid progress and the Stormers’ effective player development system. His journey from a junior captain to a national team call-up in a short span highlights his dedication and raw talent. The entire Springbok nation will be watching this young prop’s progress with great interest as he embarks on this new challenge.