Junior Bok captain Zachary Porthen enjoying first Currie Cup season

The promising 20-year-old made his Western Province off the bench against the Griffons on 3 August. He has since started alongside two-time Rugby World Cup-winning loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff and fellow Springbok Scarra Ntubeni.

Earlier this year, Porthen skippered the Junior Springboks during the Under-20 Rugby Championship in Australia and the World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town. His leadership and standout performances solidified his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in the country.

Transitioning to senior rugby is no small feat, especially for a front-row forward. Porthen acknowledges the steep learning curve yet is eager to grow under the guidance of his seasoned teammates and coaches at Western Province.

"Playing for Western Province has been a goal of mine for a while. So to actually get this opportunity is really special," Porthen said. "Playing senior rugby is very different, especially when it comes to things like scrum time and physicality and the technical nuances to the game."

He is taking advantage of the resources available at Western Province, and appreciates the emphasis on individual development while honing his craft.

"Our training at 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. "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."

Porthen's focus is clear: mastering the art of scrummaging. With aspirations of representing the Springboks, the Wynberg Boys' High alum 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.

"For me to play in the 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.

"Over and above the actual playing on the field, I've learned a lot mentally. Things can get tough when things don't go your way, but you can take a lot from that as a player, especially if you are part of the leadership group. I'm hoping those characteristics stick with me, so I can become a better leader and help those around me."

The pairings with junior and senior players at training, where Porthen finds himself working with seasoned Stormers props like Neethling Fouche, have been highly beneficial.

"Sometimes I'll be doing small-sided games or drills with Neethling, which is great because these seniors have done this before," he explained. "When you sit back and watch them, you take one or two things from it, which is fantastic.

"Being around these guys all the time, all I'm going to do is learn. I'm loving this environment. It's exactly what I need."

Western Province host the Sharks XV at DHL Stadium this Saturday, and Porthen is relishing the opportunity to play his part.

"There is this burning desire among the players to get the win that we've worked so hard for. It is something that we need to get," he said.

"We need to go flat out because we've put in so much work, but we need to actually reap these rewards. We will go out there, give our best, and hopefully get the result we need."