While much of the focus may be on Manie Libbok at flyhalf, one of the most consequential selections that the Springboks have made for their Nations Championship test against England on Saturday is that of Zachary Porthen to cover tighthead from the bench.
Given the fact that Thomas du Toit, one of the Premiership stars this season, packs down at tighthead, the Boks would be looking to continue their tradition of Bomb Squad impetus off the bench and there was an expectation that Wilco Louw would fill the void.
But Porthen, the SA under-20 captain two seasons ago who made his debut last year for the Springboks, was a bit of a surprise.
Especially when you think that Erasmus could have gone with Carlu Sadie, Bordeaux’s mammoth tighthead as well.
But while they expect England to field a relatively youthful looking team, Erasmus has opted mostly for tried and tested World Cup winners, with Porthen’s selection standing out ahead of Louw.
Team announcement: 50-up for Willemse and Kolbe against England this weekend - more here: https://t.co/ucQu8yf9RK 🙌
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 29, 2026
Tickets: https://t.co/vHNxb0bVoE 🎟️#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/gLBkfAY49m
It seems there were two reasons for this - one being the fact that Porthen has been in the squad for a week longer than Louw, and has impressed against Ox Nche in the live scrumming sessions, and secondly because Louw has - in Erasmus’s words - had a very tough year so far, following both illness and the death of his father.
With that in mind, Erasmus leaned towards the younger Porthen, who is more mobile and seems to have convinced the Bok coach of his pedigree.
Given the Boks’ scrum that is no mean feat and it is understandable that it raised some eyebrows.
And as Erasmus explained there was reasoning in the selection.
“What we see in training, he is doing a good job,” Erasmus said on Porthen, “We see him scrumming against guys like Ox (Nche) and Gerhard Steenekamp and he is doing a good job, We feel he can do a good job for us, especially at altitude.
“If you look at the team of England, it is a youthful team and a mobile team and we feel we might need that in the game.”
Erasmus said later that Louw’s season had been tumultuous and that the extra week that Porthen was there, when Louw was with the Bulls in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final made the difference.
“Wilco has had a tough time,” Erasmus explained. “Without getting into his personal life, there was illness in the family, there was a family bereavement, he was ill for one game and he’s had a tough five or six weeks.
“We just feel Wilco needs one week to settle down a little bit. We think his body has taken some hammering over the last couple of weeks, so that’s the reason.
“Thomas starting is quite solid for us at tighthead, and Zach coming off the bench gives us someone who’s really mobile. He’s really impressed in the scrum sessions.”
MANIE 'THE RIGHT GUY'
Libbok’s selection, with Damian Willemse doubling up as flyhalf cover and either Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse doubling as fullback cover is an interesting one, and it means that Handre Pollard, who has struggled with form in the latter stages of the URC, is likely to start against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld.
“We all know how Manie plays, but we’d also like to control the game. If it really opens up - which we think England will try and do - then I think Manie is the right guy for that. When it is on - we’d love Manie to play what's in front of him. We know Manie is the right guy for that.”
Again, the fact that Libbok was with the team for a week longer than Pollard also seems to have played a role.
Erasmus explained some of the other selections, most notably the fact that there is no lock cover on the bench.
The Boks have Marco van Staden and Cameron Hanekom, both flankers, while Andre Esterhuizen is the hybrid option for flank and centre.
“Pieter-Steph du Toit will cover lock for us,” he confirmed. “We’ve gone with a 5-3 split, but we’ve got Marco van Staden and Cameron Hanekom there and know André Esterhuizen can also cover loose forward for us, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels covers hooker.”
Springbok veterans Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will both play their 50th tests for the Springboks this weekend at Ellis Park.
Almost eight years later, Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will play their 50th Tests for the Springboks this weekend in the #NationsChampionship 📈🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/gYUZxTHtuL
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 29, 2026
"Mentorship is easy if players take ownership."
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 29, 2026
Rassie Erasmus on the growth and impact of Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse who will play their 50th Test this weekend for the Springboks.#SSRugby | #NationsChampionship pic.twitter.com/sYVo4RnZEJ