Northampton Saints Bolster Squad with South African Lock JJ van der Mescht

Northampton Saints have secured South African lock JJ van der Mescht, enhancing their squad with his exceptional skills and potential.

Northampton Saints have made a significant addition to their squad by signing South African lock Juan John 'JJ' van der Mescht from French club Stade Francais. The 26-year-old, who has 75 appearances for the Top 14 side over four seasons in Paris, is set to bring his formidable presence to the Saints' lineup.

Van der Mescht, a former South Africa Under-20 international, began his career with the Durban-based Sharks, where he honed his skills under the guidance of Northampton's scrum coach, Jaco Pienaar. His versatility and physical prowess have been widely recognized, with Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson highlighting his potential.

"JJ's potential is through the roof," Dowson stated. "Not only does he possess impressive physical attributes, but he also has a keen understanding of the game. Jaco even joked that JJ is a fly-half trapped in a second-row's body. He's capable of making game-changing plays, as we saw when he charged down a kick and sprinted in for a 50-metre try against us in January."

Van der Mescht expressed his eagerness to continue improving and taking his game to the next level. "I have ambitions to play for the Springboks one day, but I know that starts with improving and performing well for Saints. This is a challenge I'm really excited about," he said.

In addition to this signing, Northampton Saints have announced the departure of Samoa international Iakopo Mapu, who is moving to Stade Francais. Mapu, a 27-year-old back-row forward, joined Saints in November 2024 as injury cover and made seven appearances.

This strategic move by Northampton Saints underscores their commitment to strengthening their squad and competing at the highest levels of Rugby Union.

What to Read Next

Tadhg Beirne Leads British and Irish Lions in Sydney Showdown Against Waratahs
Rugby

Tadhg Beirne Leads British and Irish Lions in Sydney Showdown Against Waratahs

Tadhg Beirne captains the British and Irish Lions in a thrilling match against the Waratahs in Sydney. Key player changes and strategies unveiled.

Henry Pollock's Rise: Is the Young Rugby Star Ready for the Lions' Test Matches?
Rugby

Henry Pollock's Rise: Is the Young Rugby Star Ready for the Lions' Test Matches?

Henry Pollock shines in the British and Irish Lions' tour, but is he ready for the high-stakes Test matches against Australia?

Maro Itoje Leads British and Irish Lions with 14 Changes Against Queensland Reds
Rugby

Maro Itoje Leads British and Irish Lions with 14 Changes Against Queensland Reds

Maro Itoje returns as captain for the British and Irish Lions in a highly anticipated clash against Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

Ireland's Rising Stars: Three Debuts as Crowley Takes the Helm at Fly-Half
Rugby

Ireland's Rising Stars: Three Debuts as Crowley Takes the Helm at Fly-Half

Ireland introduces three new players as Jack Crowley starts at fly-half in the upcoming Test against Portugal. Discover the fresh talent and strategic changes under interim coach Paul O'Connell.

Legendary Scorers of the British and Irish Lions: A Comprehensive Look at Rugby's Greatest Point Scorers
Rugby

Legendary Scorers of the British and Irish Lions: A Comprehensive Look at Rugby's Greatest Point Scorers

Explore the history of the British and Irish Lions' top point scorers, featuring legends like Andy Irvine and Phil Bennett, and their remarkable contributions to rugby.

Last-Minute Heroics: Australia Edges Out Fiji in Thrilling Rugby Clash
Rugby

Last-Minute Heroics: Australia Edges Out Fiji in Thrilling Rugby Clash

Australia clinches a nail-biting victory over Fiji with a last-minute try by Harry Wilson, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

Tom Clarkson Joins British & Irish Lions as Crucial Front Row Reinforcement Ahead of Australia Test
Rugby

Tom Clarkson Joins British & Irish Lions as Crucial Front Row Reinforcement Ahead of Australia Test

Tom Clarkson joins the British & Irish Lions squad to bolster the front row ahead of the crucial first Test against Australia, enhancing the team's depth and strategy.

Dramatic Last-Minute Try by Van Poortvliet Secures England's Series Victory in Argentina
Rugby

Dramatic Last-Minute Try by Van Poortvliet Secures England's Series Victory in Argentina

Jack van Poortvliet's last-minute try clinched a thrilling 2-0 series win for England against Argentina, marking their sixth consecutive victory under coach Steve Borthwick.

Worcester Warriors vs Coventry: A Thrilling Championship Comeback
Rugby

Worcester Warriors vs Coventry: A Thrilling Championship Comeback

Worcester Warriors make a triumphant return to professional rugby with a local derby against Coventry at Sixways Stadium, marking their first game in three years.

England's Strategy to Secure Series Victory Against Argentina in Rugby
Rugby

England's Strategy to Secure Series Victory Against Argentina in Rugby

Explore how England plans to clinch the series win against Argentina with strategic gameplay and emerging talents.

Dominant South Africa Secures Stunning 45-0 Victory Over Italy Despite Early Red Card
Rugby

Dominant South Africa Secures Stunning 45-0 Victory Over Italy Despite Early Red Card

South Africa showcased their rugby prowess with a commanding 45-0 win against Italy, despite an early red card, maintaining their unbeaten record in Gqeberha.

Gus McCarthy: How Leinster's Fierce Competition Fuels His Rugby Growth
Rugby

Gus McCarthy: How Leinster's Fierce Competition Fuels His Rugby Growth

Ireland hooker Gus McCarthy discusses how the intense competition at Leinster Rugby drives his development and prepares him for international challenges.

Craig Casey Aims to Make Ireland Debutants' Week Unforgettable Against Georgia
Rugby

Craig Casey Aims to Make Ireland Debutants' Week Unforgettable Against Georgia

Ireland captain Craig Casey is focused on creating a memorable week for debutants as they face Georgia in a thrilling rugby showdown.

Ben Earl's Rugby Revelation: Five Weeks That Transformed a Career
Rugby

Ben Earl's Rugby Revelation: Five Weeks That Transformed a Career

Ben Earl shares how the British and Irish Lions tour in Australia has been a game-changer, teaching him more in five weeks than the last four years.

Luke Northmore's England Debut: A New Star in Rugby Union Against Argentina
Rugby

Luke Northmore's England Debut: A New Star in Rugby Union Against Argentina

Luke Northmore steps into the spotlight with his England debut against Argentina in a crucial Rugby Union Test match.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.