Springbok tighthead prop Zach Porthen is relishing the chance to test his mettle against Argentina’s feared front row as he prepares to earn his sixth Test cap in Buenos Aires.
On Saturday, Porthen will once again look to provide an impact from the Bok bench, but the former Junior Springboks captain insists his focus remains firmly on technical improvement rather than getting caught up in the hostile atmosphere of Los Pumas' home turf.
“You’re always trying to better every aspect of your game,” said Porthen, reflecting on his rapid transition from the junior ranks to senior international rugby.
“Before every training session, I put my head on one or two things. I’ll say today I want to get better at this and that, and I try to be consistent to improve in every single training session.”
Despite Argentina’s long-standing reputation as one of world rugby’s most uncompromising scrummaging units, the young front-rower is treating the Buenos Aires clash like any other fixture.
“I haven’t really put too much thought into that specifically," Porthen admitted. "I’m just trying to keep the main thing, the main thing. I just see this as the obstacle we’re facing this week and the opportunity, then take it one week at a time.”
For a modern tighthead, however, the ultimate metric of success always returns to the set piece. Porthen is determined to lay down a marker when called upon.
“Personally, the biggest place I want to get my foot in the ground is at scrum time,” he said. “Being a tighthead prop, I'm just hoping I can try and enforce a bit there and keep improving day by day.”
Porthen credits the unique environment fostered by coach Rassie Erasmus and the veteran Springboks for helping him adjust seamlessly to the demands of Test rugby since making his debut late last year.
“You don’t really feel like you’re being thrown in the deep end because the guys around you set you up for success. The coaching staff and the players guide you through the journey. Obviously, there is pressure in wanting to make your country and your family proud, but the players around you really give you confidence.”
Porthen said he believes his partnership with loosehead Jan-Hendrik Wessels is also becoming a strength for the South African scrum.
“I’ve started getting used to Jan. I feel very comfortable with him, and throughout this week we’ve connected in terms of scrummaging. I feel safe being on his right-hand side."
The rigorous internal competition at Springbok training has also provided the perfect simulation for what awaits in Argentina.
“We scrum against phenomenal players at training. I get to scrum against Boan Venter, so that sets me up very well for the Test against Argentina, which I’m very excited for,” Porthen concluded.