Springboks team to face Japan at Wembley Stadium - Autumn Nations Series

Former Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen will make his Springbok debut at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Rassie Erasmus has named a largely settled squad for the opening match of the Autumn Series, with 16 players retained from the Rugby Championship finale triumph over Argentina at the Allianz Stadium.

Porthen, who captained the Junior Boks last year, will become Springbok #953 and the youngest prop to debut in the professional era, lining up with Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx in the front row.

RG Snyman and Lood de Jager form the engine room, with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi leading a loose trio alongside Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese. In the backs, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu direct play, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel in midfield. Kurt-Lee Arendse returns to the wings after a lengthy injury lay-off, to partner up with Ethan Hooker while Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback.

“Six players in the group are currently plying their trade in Japan, and we believe their experience will be a bonus,” said Erasmus. “It’s also good to have a few players back in the mix… so we felt this is the best team we could field against a quality Japan outfit.”

The Springboks have a 2-1 record against Japan, including a 26-3 win in the 2019 RWC quarter-final, with their only defeat a 34-32 loss in 2015. Saturday’s match will also mark Kolisi’s 99th Test and Kriel needs five points to reach 100 in his Test career. The squad carries 781 combined caps—316 in the backs, 465 among forwards, with 182 on the bench.

Of Porthen being named in the starting team in his first week with the squad, Erasmus said: “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.

Springbok team to face Japan – 2025 Autumn Nations Series

Starting XV

Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 46 caps)

Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears, 84 caps)

Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers, uncapped)

RG Snyman (Leinster, 46 caps)

Lood de Jager (Wild Knights, 71 caps)

Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks, 98 caps)

Franco Mostert (Honda Heat, 81 caps)

Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks, 39 caps)

Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers, 46 caps)

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers, 15 caps)

Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls, 27 caps)

Damian de Allende (Wild Knights, 93 caps)

Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles, 84 caps)

Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 5 caps)

Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath, 46 caps)

Replacements
16. Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls, 3 caps)
17. Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls, 11 caps)
18. Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls, 24 caps)
19. Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls, 13 caps)
20. André Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 24 caps)
21. Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs, 59 caps)
22. Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks, 24 caps)
23. Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners, 24 caps)