Springboks
London – Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has sprung a surprise by handing a Test debut to 21-year-old tighthead prop Zachary Porthen in the starting XV for South Africa’s opening match of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour against Japan. The clash is set for Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 1 November 2025, with kick-off at 18:10 South African time. Porthen, who becomes the youngest prop to debut for the Springboks in the professional era, joins a side packed with experience, including seven players currently based in Japan. This selection comes as the world champions look to build momentum after securing back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, while facing a resurgent Japanese team under coach Eddie Jones.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, features a blend of returning stars and tactical tweaks, with Erasmus opting for a 6-2 bench split favouring forwards. The move highlights the coach’s strategy to dominate up front against a fast-paced Japanese outfit known for their upset potential. With the tour also including tougher fixtures ahead, this game offers a chance to integrate new talent and give game time to key players.
Starting XV: Experience Meets Fresh Talent
The Springboks’ starting line-up showcases a solid core with some notable positional shifts and returns from injury or absence. Here’s the full team:
- Ox Nche (loosehead prop)
- Malcolm Marx (hooker)
- Zachary Porthen (tighthead prop – debut)
- RG Snyman (lock)
- Lood de Jager (lock)
- Siya Kolisi (flanker – captain)
- Franco Mostert (flanker)
- Jasper Wiese (number eight)
- Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf)
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf)
- Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing)
- Damian de Allende (centre)
- Jesse Kriel (centre)
- Ethan Hooker (wing)
- Cheslin Kolbe (fullback)
Standout features include Cheslin Kolbe moving to fullback, a role that leverages his speed and kicking ability in open play. The centre partnership of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel reunites a proven duo, both of whom play club rugby in Japan, adding familiarity with the opposition’s style. Up front, the second row pairing of RG Snyman and Lood de Jager brings height and lineout prowess, while the loose trio of Kolisi, Mostert, and Wiese offers a mix of leadership, work rate, and power.
Porthen’s inclusion is the headline grabber. The Stormers youngster, who captained the Junior Springboks and impressed in the United Rugby Championship, steps in at tighthead prop. At 21 years, six months, and 28 days old, he eclipses Ollie le Roux’s record from 1994 as the youngest prop debutant in the pro era. Erasmus has backed him to “sink or swim” in the high-pressure environment, surrounded by veterans to guide him through the week.
Returns bolster the side: Kurt-Lee Arendse is back on the wing after injury, Franco Mostert recovers from a family bereavement, and Lood de Jager shakes off recent knocks. Notably absent is Pieter-Steph du Toit, giving others a chance to shine.
Bench Strength: The Bomb Squad’s Tactical Twist
The replacements bench adopts a 6-2 split, with six forwards and two backs, a setup last used in the year’s opening Test against Italy. This “Bomb Squad” approach emphasises forward dominance in the latter stages: - Johan Grobbelaar (hooker)
- Gerhard Steenekamp (loosehead prop)
- Wilco Louw (tighthead prop)
- Ruan Nortje (lock)
- Andre Esterhuizen (utility – back-row/centre hybrid)
- Kwagga Smith (loose forward)
- Grant Williams (scrumhalf)
- Manie Libbok (flyhalf)
A intriguing tweak sees Andre Esterhuizen listed as a hybrid player, primarily covering the back-row but able to slot into the backline if needed. This flexibility allows for more forward options while maintaining versatility. Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar return to the squad after missing out in 2025 selections, adding fresh legs to the front row cover.
The bench includes two more Japan-based players in Kwagga Smith and Manie Libbok, bringing the total to nine across the matchday 23. This depth is designed to overpower Japan in the scrums and mauls, areas where the Springboks excel.
Rassie Erasmus’s Vision: Respect for Japan and Building for the Tour
Coach Rassie Erasmus expressed excitement about the squad’s composition, emphasising the value of the Japan-based contingent. “Six players in the group are currently plying their trade in Japan, and we believe their experience of playing in that league and either with or against some of their players will be a bonus for us,” he said. “But I’m sure Japan will also tap into their knowledge of those players as they prepare for the match.”
On Porthen’s debut, Erasmus added: “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 give him an opportunity 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.”
Erasmus warned against underestimating Japan, coached by the wily Eddie Jones. “They are a quality team, and they have a top coach in Eddie Jones, so we have no doubt they’ll throw everything at us. They beat us in 2015, and they showed what a quality outfit they are in the first half of our 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against them, so we are expecting them to come out guns blazing. They also lost by only four points against Australia last weekend, which is a testament to the improvement they have been making, so we need to be sharp on attack and defence if we want to get the result.”
He highlighted the tour’s importance: “It is also good to have a few players back in the mix after missing a few games due to various reasons. One can sense their excitement to be back in the squad, so we felt this is the best team we could field against a quality Japan outfit, who will want to make a strong point against us. Very little separates the top teams in the world, and if you are not on your game both mentally and physically on the day, anything can happen. So, we will treat them with the utmost respect, and we also know how important this match will be to set the tone for the rest of our tour.”
Match Context: A Wembley Spectacle with Historical Edge
This fixture marks the Springboks’ first outing at Wembley, a venue more famous for football but set to host over 90,000 fans for this rugby showdown. It’s part of the 2025 November Internationals, following South Africa’s dominant Rugby Championship campaign where they beat Argentina 29-27 in the decider.
Japan, known as the Brave Blossoms, pose a real threat. Their famous 34-32 upset over the Boks at the 2015 World Cup in Brighton remains a rugby landmark, and they pushed South Africa hard in the first half of the 2019 World Cup quarter-final before losing 26-3. Under Eddie Jones, they’ve shown progress, nearly beating Australia in a recent 28-24 defeat. Jones, a former Springbok consultant, will draw on his knowledge to challenge the champions.
Officiating the game is Irish referee Eoghan Cross, with assistants Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) and Adam Leal (England), TMO Mike Adamson (Scotland), and foul play review official Tual Trainini (France).
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