Brok passes Stormers baton to Porthen

Former Junior Springbok skipper Zach Porthen is set to make his Stormers debut against Dragons at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday – with help from the retiring Brok Harris. 

The 21-year-old Porthen, one of five promising youngsters who recently signed new deals with the Stormers, will likely bench for tighthead Sazi Sandi in the Vodacom URC round 17 clash.

A 2025 Varsity Cup winner with the UCT Ikeys, Porthen made his Currie Cup bow for Western Province off the bench last year, before starting alongside two-time World Cup-winning loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff and fellow Springbok Scarra Ntubeni.

The Wynberg Boys’ old boy skippered the Junior Boks during the 2024 U20 Rugby Championship in Australia and the World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town.

He replaces Harris, who hurt his knee in the round 16 win against Benetton. The 19-year veteran will say farewell to the fans this week before kick-off.

Harris’ injury compounds the Stormers’ tighthead prop crisis heading into the playoffs. Frans Malherbe remains sidelined with a back injury, while Neethling Fouche is serving a suspension. Sandi is currently the only available tighthead.

Speaking to the media at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, Harris told reporters: “These are challenging times [with the injuries among the props], but we want to help Zach get a taste of senior professional rugby.

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“Neethling is back next week and then Zach will have a game under his belt.”

Harris, who returned to Cape Town in 2021 after seven years with the Dragons in Wales, has amassed an incredible 433 first-class appearances, including 170 for the Stormers. His distinguished career includes winning the Currie Cup in 2012 and the URC in 2022. 

“I’ve never had a knee injury before but the moment it happened, I knew it was the end,” the 40-year-old said.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve rarely been injured and I’m just grateful that I was able to have this career. I don’t regret anything.

“I was 93 when I left here. When I returned I thought ‘only seven for 100’. Now I’m at 170. I’m very blessed and the past four years have been incredibly nice to be back with the Stormers.”

The Stormers, in sixth on the log, host last-placed Dragons for the first time in the shadow of Table Mountain. “The Dragons are a team that works hard, has good systems and will not give you anything,” Harris added. 

“They are a physical team and there is good character among the players. They are a very proud regional team, so we will have to be at our best.”

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images