The Springbok scrum is one of the most feared and respected weapons in world rugby - not just a set-piece, but a cornerstone of the team’s entire identity.
You will struggle to find a nation that can match South Africa’s conveyor belt of world-class props over the years. Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nché, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Thomas du Toit - the list is long.
And as they retire and disappear from the scene, the next generation of young props is there, ready to step into those boots.
This depth allows South Africa to maintain or even increase pressure when the “Bomb Squad” comes on in the second half.
For most teams, a scrum is a way to restart play. For the Boks, it’s a scoring platform. When the Boks get a dominant scrum, it shifts the entire momentum of a match.
The man behind the success of the Boks’ scrum domination is the scrum doctor, Daan Human.
He is a humble and unassuming coach who quietly goes about his business, often out of the limelight.
He consistently brings through the next generation of powerful props, and it seems that South Africa never runs out.
The latest in the long list that Human has been ‘farming’ with is Zachary Porthen.
The 21-year-old made his senior debut for the Springboks against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London, becoming the youngest prop to debut for the Springboks in the professional era.
He will most likely get another shot in Cardiff against Wales, as South Africa will be missing several key players with this encounter falling outside the international window.
After proving what a powerful weapon the Springbok scrum is in their 24-13 victory against Ireland , Human was diplomatic in his response to whether he was hoping for the same success in his area of expertise this weekend.
“Yes, I am very happy with that.
“It’s the first time we got 10 penalties and one penalty try.
“So I am very glad for that, but I think we must park it now. It’s part of the past,” Human told Rugby365 when asked about that show of dominance against Ireland, clearly not happy to bask in the glory.
“Yes, it helped the team, and it’s a weapon that we try to use as often as possible within our game.
“But it is vital that we keep on working and getting better. I’m actually going to show the players how we can get better right now, on where I saw [opportunities] on another three or four occasions.”
Asked what the future holds for South Africa in the props department, the former Springbok prop said: “We are very excited about Zachary [Porten], and I think he has a great future ahead of him, just like Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Ntuthuko Mchunu, who are also on tour with us.
“I think there is a great future. It’s always vital they get into our system sooner rather than later so they know exactly how we do things and adapt to it.”
In June, Human’s farm in the Free State got a lot of publicity after Ntlabakanye underwent rigorous training to lose weight and improve his scrummaging skills, resulting in the Lions prop shedding 15-18 kg and earning him a call-up to the Springboks squad.
We asked Human what exactly happens on that farm that props fear so much.
“We just farm there, and there’s a lot of rain at the moment, which I am glad for because we need it, like we need scrums in a game,” he replied with his typically dry sense of humour.
“Zachy [Porthen] hasn’t been there yet, but Asa [Ntlabakanye] was there, and he enjoyed it.
“Yes, we work there, we work.”
Human was also put on the spot to identify the strongest prop he has ever worked with. It seems South Africa is so rich in powerful men that even the scrum coach of the Springboks couldn’t mention just one.
“Phew, I am not too sure. I would say Wilco Louw is a tractor.
“Thomas du Toit - he is also a tractor. Ox [Nche] is one of them, Frans [Malherbe], Vincent [Koch] - they are all strong, and I can’t really say who is the strongest.
“Kitsie [Steven Kitshoff] was strong. Very strong."