Porthen set for Springboks Test debut against Japan at Wembley

Zachary Porthen will make his Test debut for South Africa when the reigning world champions open their five-match end-of-year tour against Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed, with Cheslin Kolbe shifted to fullback and several senior players returning to the starting XV. Kickoff is scheduled for 16:10 GMT.

The 21-year-old tighthead, who has impressed for the Stormers and captained South Africa at under-21 level, was handed a start in a front row that includes Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx. Erasmus said Porthen had shown the physicality and maturity to warrant the call-up but stressed the step up in intensity at Test level is a sink-or-swim moment for a rookie. Porthen is set to become the youngest prop to debut for the Springboks in the professional era.

Erasmus retained 16 players from the side that edged Argentina to clinch the Rugby Championship and recalled Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager and Kurt-Lee Arendse. The starting backline features Ethan Hooker and Arendse on the wings, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel in midfield, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf and Cobus Reinach at scrumhalf. André Esterhuizen is listed on the bench as a hybrid...