New Springboks front-rower Zachary Porthen couldn\u2019t hide his delight after making his international debut in the world champions\u2019 emphatic 61-7 victory against Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Porthen described his Test bow as a \u201cdream come true\u201d and revealed that his main goal going forward is to do everything possible to remain part of the senior national set-up.<\/p>\n
It was an auspicious occasion for the 21-year-old as he became the youngest Springboks<\/a> prop to take the field at Test level during the professional era.<\/p>\n Porthen<\/a>\u2018s career has come on in leaps and bounds during the past 12 months, and he revealed that he was still in awe on Saturday night about making his senior debut.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was honestly unreal,\u201d said Porthen, who caught the eye with an excellent all-round performance in which he hit 13 rucks, made nine tackles, as well as a carry in his 48 minutes on the field.<\/p>\n \u2018A dream come true\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a dream come true to be on the same field as all those guys (who I\u2019ve looked up to). I could only dream of it before, and now it has come true. It\u2019s crazy.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what I\u2019ve wanted to do my whole life, and it is certainly the highlight of my career so far. I\u2019m grateful to be here, and I hope I can stay here. That\u2019s the next step.\u201d<\/p>\n Porthen only joined up with the Springboks squad at the start of last week and paid tribute to his more experienced team-mates in the group for keeping him at ease in the build-up to his debut against the Brave Blossoms.<\/p>\n \u201cThe rugby was quick, just as I thought it would be, but what gave me confidence was the guys around me,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey prepped me well and kept reminding me through the week that if something goes wrong, it\u2019s a team thing, and said \u2018Zac, don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ve got your back\u2019. That gave me confidence, and it was great.\u201d<\/p>\n