Erasmus On Kolbe’s Fullback And Porthen’s Historic Debut

When Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus announced his squad to face Japan, eyes were cast on two particular selections – Cheslin Kolbe starting at fullback and 21-year-old former Springbok Junior captain Zachary Porthen earning his first cap. 

Porthen, the Stormers prop, will become Springbok #953 and the youngest prop to debut for the Boks in the professional era.

On the decision to name Porthen in the starting XV in his first week with the senior squad, Erasmus said: “He proved at Vodacom United Rugby Championship level and with the Junior Springboks what he can do, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can offer in his first Test match.”

“Obviously, he has a lot to learn this week, but we have experienced players in the squad who have been helping and guiding him, and we believe this is the right match to allow him to prove what he can do.”

“At this level, you have to sink or swim, so although it will be a challenging week for him to learn our structures, it will also be a very exciting week for him.”

In the absence of Aphelele Fassi – sidelined by a long-term injury – and Damian Willemse – who suffered a hamstring injury for the Stormers against Benetton – Kolbe has been shifted to fullback for the game at Wembley.

While many struggled to recall if Kolbe had ever played in that position before for the Springboks, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse was swift in saying: “He played there against Ireland in the end-of-year tour in 2022.” 

Erasmus elaborated on Kolbe’s position for Saturday: “Kolbe has played at club level in France as a fullback and has played there if we’ve needed him to. We could have moved Manie (Libbok) or Handre (Pollard) to 10 and Sacha to 15 there, but Sacha is finding his feet at 10 at Test match level and against different opposition.”

Erasmus noted Kolbe as the preferred choice at fullback, and even though he is more commonly deployed on the wing, the change maintains continuity with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf, allowing the Springboks to keep their combinations intact. 

In that previous game where Kolbe played fullback, against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on 05 November 2022, the Irish ran out 19-16 victors in a tightly contested affair. During the game, Kolbe received a sinbin, slotted a penalty, but also missed a conversion. 

The Springboks will hope that this time, with Kolbe starting at fullback, despite different opposition, the scoreline shifts in the favor of the Springboks.