Rising from the Western Cape to international prominence, Zachary Porthen has established himself as one of South Africa’s most promising young rugby talents, combining exceptional leadership qualities with formidable front-row skills.
Early Life and Physical Profile
Born on March 31, 2004, Zachary Porthen is a 21-year-old South African rugby player who stands 1.89 meters tall (6 feet 2 inches) and weighs 124 kilograms (273 pounds). The promising tighthead prop hails from the Western Cape and is an alumnus of Wynberg Boys’ High School, one of South Africa’s most prestigious rugby-producing institutions.
Provincial Career and Development
Porthen currently plays for Western Province in South Africa as a prop, where he has been making significant strides in his professional development. The promising 20-year-old made his Carling Currie Cup debut for DHL Western Province off the bench against the NovaVit Griffons on August 3, 2024. Since then, his career trajectory has been remarkable, quickly earning starting positions alongside seasoned international players.
He has since started alongside two-time Rugby World Cup-winning loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff and fellow Springbok Scarra Ntubeni. This exposure to world-class talent has been instrumental in his rapid development. “Our training at DHL Western Province is different with regards to developing the individual. When it comes to small skills like offloading, the speed of the game is very different,” Porthen explained.
International Leadership and Achievements
Porthen’s leadership qualities emerged early in his career. The former SA Schools captain has been a cornerstone of South African junior rugby. Earlier in 2024, Porthen skippered the Junior Springboks during the Under-20 Rugby Championship in Australia and the World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town.
Porthen was named captain of the Junior Springboks for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, with coach Bafana Nhleko acknowledging the difficulty in finalizing the squad due to the high level of commitment shown by players. He was one of five players who featured in the tournament for a second time, alongside JF van Heerden (lock), Asad Moos (scrumhalf), Jurenzo Julius (centre) and Litelihle Bester (wing).
Performance and Playing Style
As a tighthead prop, Porthen’s game is built around set-piece excellence and physical dominance. His focus is clear: mastering the art of scrummaging. With aspirations of representing the Springboks, he understands the value of packing down with the likes of Kitshoff and Ntubeni. “At scrum time, that’s where I need to perform. It is a work-on for me, and scrumming with Scarra and Steven has helped me tremendously,” he said.
During the World Rugby U20 Championship, playing as a fullback in some matches, he demonstrated his versatility by scoring two tries against Wales U20 in a 70-minute performance, showcasing his adaptability across different positions.
Future Aspirations and Professional Development
Porthen has signed a contract extension with Stormers Rugby and is poised to continue his transition to the senior ranks. “For me to play in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and potentially become a Springbok, I need to have my scrumming at its best. That’s my main focus at the moment”.
His commitment to continuous improvement is evident in his approach to the game. “I’m just excited to reap the rewards from learning. That’s what I’m trying to take out of being in this environment, to become the best rugby player that I can be”.
Character and Leadership Development
Reflecting on his leadership journey, Porthen noted: “Last year when I came into the set-up I didn’t speak much, I was here to learn. This year I took it on me to drive those standards and to almost get the messages that the coaches want towards the players”. This evolution from follower to leader demonstrates the maturity that has made him such a valuable asset to South African rugby.
With his combination of physical prowess, technical skill, and natural leadership abilities, Zachary Porthen represents the bright future of South African rugby, embodying the next generation of Springbok talent.
