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Sharks issue 15-word Eben Etzebeth statement as several Boks left out
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Zachary Porthen joins growing Bok chorus as questions linger
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South Africa tighthead prop Zachary Porthen has reiterated the message that has been coming out of the Springboks camp this week, saying the squad are “hungrier than you might think.”
The Boks take on Australia in Perth on Sunday just two weeks after securing a 3-1 series win over the All Blacks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the XV that ran out in the fourth Test in Baltimore, with only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retaining their places, leading to concerns that the world champions may falter after such an intense schedule.
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Furthermore, the rotated side could be viewed as a sign of disrespect towards the Wallabies by Erasmus.
But Porthen, who featured from the bench in the first Test loss to the All Blacks at Ellis Park, has provided a different perspective, saying those coming into the side are keen to prove themselves.
The 22-year-old is still in his first year of Test rugby, having made his debut against Japan in November 2025, and is still working his way up the Boks’ pecking order with Wilco Louw and Thomas du Toit often preferred ahead of him.
While the Stormers prop will see this as an opportunity to stake a claim to feature in Erasmus’ preferred matchday 23, he said representing your country should be enough to “get you up for any game.”
“This is Test rugby,” said Porthen.
“Everyone who goes out on the field knows how much it means to themselves and to the country. That in itself is enough to get you up for any game.
“We’ve had time to get used to Australia without playing, but with changes in the line-up this week, a lot of the guys are hungrier than you might think.
“The players want to get back on the field to prove themselves and to show what this means to us.”
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