Powerhouse South African lock JJ Van Der Mescht is settling into life at Northampton Saints and is eager to show the Gallagher PREM his x-factor playing style.
Born in Pretoria, the former junior Springbok joined Northampton Saints this summer ahead of the 2025/26 season, from French TOP 14 club Stade Français.
He joins fellow new signing Anthony Belleau in having played against Saints last season in the Investec Champions Cup, where he scored a breakaway try against the men in Black, Green and Gold when the sides met in a 45-35 clash at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
But now he has made the switch to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, the powerhouse lock is set to bring an extra level of dominance to the Northampton Saints’ pack and is ready to get his teeth stuck into Northampton’s upcoming PREM season.
“The PREM is a great league, and you have some of the best players in the world,” Van Der Mescht said.
“I'm really excited just to get in it and see what I can bring with my x-factor and my size and my dominance that I do bring. I’ve got a little bit of pace when I need to, but I’m ready to do whatever the team needs me to.
“When we [Stade] did the review, before we played against Saints, we knew it was going to be a very tough game. The way Saints move the ball, and with the talent they have in the team, is dangerous.
“In the first half, I didn't expect us to pull it through, but just the way Northampton played is definitely the reason why I came here.”
JJ Van Der Mescht
Having played in the fixture last season against Saints, the Black, Green and Gold jersey caught the eye of the towering lock, as well as the culture of improving players and the welcoming environment that is around the squad.
He continued: “Ribbans, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam and Tommy Freeman, all those guys that come through the system and with Juarno Augustus as well, [playing at Saints] helped him get back into the Springboks setup.
“I want to try and get into the Springbok team and the way coaches coach players and make them better appeals to me.
“I just really wanted to improve my game and become better. The culture here is definitely one that helps you as a player get to that level where you need to be to play on the highest standard you can.
“I did follow the PREM, and it was definitely a competition I wanted to play in. The way Saints play really appealed to me. I like running and attacking, and it just got me really excited to get here.
“The talent in the squad is amazing. The way they work for each other is a massive bonus.
“You don't see that a lot in rugby anymore. Just the willingness to work for each other is amazing, and it's contagious, so it makes you want to work harder, and the way they’ve brought me in as a new player is something I haven’t felt in a long time.
“It’s been great, I’ve been enjoying it a lot, everyone’s been really welcoming; the players, staff and community itself. We felt at home straight away.”
