Porthen: “Everyone is hungry and up for the game”

Springbok prop Zachary Porthen was raring to go for the opportunity to face the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday and said all the players were up for the challenge at the Optus Stadium in what will mark their final Test before the second leg of the Nations Championship in November.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to the starting team, which will see Porthen and fellow prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels pack down in the front row with hooker Johan Grobbelaar but the former Junior Bok captain said each of the players in the squad were thrilled about the opportunity to represent the country in the green and gold once again.

“This is Test rugby,” said Porthen.

“Everyone who goes out on the field knows how much it means to themselves and to the country. That in itself is enough to get you up for any game.

“We’ve had time to get used to Australia without playing but with changes in the lineup this week, a lot of the guys are hungrier than you might think.

“The players want to get back on the field to prove themselves and to show what this means to us.”

Asked what the biggest lessons were that he had learned since being involved in the Springbok set-up and under the current group of coaches following his Test debut against Japan last November, Porthen said: “It has been a big step up to be honest, so it’s difficult to put my finger on one thing.

“With each challenge you adapt to something different and personally if one takes what the coaches say on board, you just dive in and try to give your best.”

The Springboks wrapped up their main training block of the week on Thursday in Terrigal – where they will be based during their 2027 Rugby World Cup training camp next year – before making the journey to Perth for the match and will have their traditional captains run at the Optus Stadium on Friday.

The match kicks off at 11.45am (SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (capt), 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies; 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth; 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn.

Australia v South Africa - Sunday @ Optus Stadium, Perth - 11.45am (SAST)

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR), James Doleman (NZR)

Television Match Official: Matteo Liperini (FIR)