Springbok legend Victor Matfield believes towering Northampton Saints lock JJ van der Mescht could emerge as one of the surprise packages of the Springboks’ 2026 season.
The burly second-rower has rebuilt his career impressively since joining Saints from Stade Français last year.
Van der Mescht struggled to fully establish himself during a four-year stint in Paris, but his move to England has sparked a dramatic turnaround in form.
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The giant lock – who weighs in at just under 145kg – was rewarded earlier this year with an invitation to one of Rassie Erasmus’ alignment camps ahead of the upcoming Nations Championship.
And Matfield believes the former Sharks enforcer could force his way firmly into the Bok picture.
“JJ van der Mescht from Northampton, 145kgs, has got a call-up,” Matfield said on the Rivals podcast.
“I saw him play as a youngster and at schoolboy level he was unbelievable. He’s big, but he’s fast and he’s got great skills.
“If you think of a guy like RG Snyman being out for the year, someone like him can maybe come in and play off the bench.”
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Matfield believes Van der Mescht offers something different to the current Springbok lock stocks.
“He won’t be used a lot in the lineout, but he’ll be the guy carrying hard in midfield,” said the Bok great.
“He’s got great skills – off-loading, getting through tackles. I think he might just be the big surprise Rassie brings in this year.”
Matfield also welcomed the inclusion of Embrose Papier in the latest alignment camp after the scrumhalf’s outstanding form for the Vodacom Bulls.
“The one guy I’m really happy to see there is Embrose Papier,” he said.
“He’s been playing really well for the Bulls and in previous alignment camps he wasn’t invited.”
Meanwhile, Matfield downplayed concerns around the absence of several senior Springboks from the latest camp, including veteran fullback Willie le Roux.
“There are a few guys getting a bit older and there are young players coming through,” he said.
“But Willie knows exactly how they want to play and what they want to do.
“One thing Rassie is very good at is that if he feels it’s time to move on or bring someone new in, he’ll do it, but that doesn’t mean the older guys won’t come back if needed.”
Photo: Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
