South Africa will start 21-year-old Zachary Porthen at tighthead prop against Japan on Saturday at Wembley Stadium in his first international appearance. Coach Rassie Erasmus selected the Stormers player as the youngest prop to debut for the Springboks since professional rugby began. The match kicks off at 6:10 p.m. South African time with captain Siya Kolisi leading a team that features seven players currently competing in Japan's domestic league.
Erasmus chose a bench with six forwards and two backs to maintain strength in scrums and mauls against Eddie Jones' Japanese squad. Cheslin Kolbe shifts to fullback while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel reunite at center after both gained experience playing club rugby in Japan. The world champions face an opponent that upset them 34-32 at the 2015 World Cup and recently lost by just four points to Australia.
Erasmus chose a bench with six forwards and two backs to maintain strength in scrums and mauls against Eddie Jones' Japanese squad. Cheslin Kolbe shifts to fullback while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel reunite at center after both gained experience playing club rugby in Japan. The world champions face an opponent that upset them 34-32 at the 2015 World Cup and recently lost by just four points to Australia.
