Springbok legend Victor Matfield has backed towering Northampton Saints lock JJ van der Mescht to emerge as Rassie Erasmus’ “big surprise package” of 2026.
The powerful second-rower has made significant strides since leaving Stade Français for the English Premiership last year. Van der Mescht found consistent game time difficult to come by during four seasons in Paris, but his move to Saints has produced a sharp turnaround in fortunes.
The 145kg lock earned an invitation to Erasmus’ virtual alignment camp earlier this year ahead of the Nations Championship, and Matfield believes the former Sharks enforcer is well placed to push
