Zach Porthen will take his place on the Springbok bench against England, but the young prop insists he has already been battle-hardened in a far more unforgiving arena, the training paddock. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
In a squad stacked with world-class front-rowers, the 22-year-old says nothing comes easy.
“A [Springbok] scrum session is tougher than what you’ll expect in the game,” he admitted at a media conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday. “Ox, all of them, they are beasts. Every time you scrum against them it’s different. You learn a new skill every time.”
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It’s not just technique that’s under constant scrutiny. Mentally, too, the Springbok environment demands more.
“Being switched on every single time is important,” he says. “Going to that dark place is something I’ve learned a lot from in this environment.”
By all accounts, he is a willing learner. Said Ox Nché: “He’s impressed me. Our scrums are live and he’s grown immensely. He asks questions about how to improve. It’s the reason he’s grown so much. He listens.”
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For a position often described as rugby’s most specialised, Porthen believes perfection is a myth.
“You’re never going to have it all down,” he explains. “You can master one thing and neglect another. So it’s about staying on top of everything all the time.”
Despite the fierce competition for places, the Bok front row operates with a collective mindset. Review sessions are as collaborative as they are intense.
“We get together, go through the footage, talk about what happened,” Porthen says. “Even though it’s competitive, we understand the bigger picture. For South Africa to win.”
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Versatility is another string to his bow. Having previously put his hand up to switch to loosehead when needed, Porthen remains firmly team-first.
“If a coach asks me, I’ll say yes. If it gets me in the team and it’s what’s best for the team, I’m all for it.”
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Now England await, bringing a typically physical and structured challenge. Porthen expects nothing less.
“It’s always a tough test,” he says. “They’re organised, well-coached, and they’ll come hard. But we’ve prepared well. We’re ready for the battle.”
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Zach: Boks have taken me to that dark place appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Zach Porthen will take his place on the Springbok bench against England, but the young prop insists he has already been battle-hardened in a far more unforgiving arena.
The post Zach: Boks have taken me to that dark place appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
