Why Wallabies should be worried about this Bok's comments
SPOTLIGHT: Opportunities to prove your worth at Test level will be limited as the World Cup draws nearer, and that’s why Perth will be a big stage for some of the Springboks’ fringe players.
South Africa will enter Sunday’s match against the Wallabies with a starting team featuring 13 changes as some big names are left out after a gruelling Greatest Rivalry Series against the All Blacks.
Prop Zachary Porthen, who is still only 22, is one of those players with an excellent opportunity to impress the Bok coaching staff.
He has featured in only one of the four matches against the All Blacks, and that was the 16-33 defeat at Ellis Park in the first Test.
Porthen will increase his Test cap tally to eight with Sunday’s outing, and he will form a front row with Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Johan Grobbelaar.
Despite it being a much-changed team, the Boks are still favourites for Sunday’s match, and Porthen had a clear message about the mindset in the camp, which could make life difficult for the Aussies.
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“This is Test rugby and everyone who goes out on the field knows that it means a lot for the country, so that in itself is enough to get you up for every game,” said Porthen.
“There have been a lot of changes to the line-up, and the guys are actually hungrier than you think.
“Although we’ve gotten some time off, the boys are hungry to get back on the field to prove themselves and show what it means to them.”
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Porthen also touched on Andre Esterhuizen’s captaincy for the showdown.
“I am very happy for him. He has done a lot of good work at the Sharks as well, and I don’t think it is completely different,” he said.
“He has a lot of good leaders around him. It doesn’t really change the fact that Eben is going to say something when something is wrong. Franco is going to say something when he feels like a certain aspect of our game needs to be adapted.
“He [Esterhuizen] is definitely the right person. But what helps, and what is great for the team, is having those other leaders around him.”
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