Northampton Saints are delighted to today confirm the signing of South African lock, Juan John ‘JJ’ van der Mescht, ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The 6’7”, 145kg second row arrives at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens from Stade Français and scored a breakaway try when the men in Black, Green and Gold met the Parisian side back in January in a clash at Stade Jean-Bouin.
A powerful, aggressive and physical lock, 26-year-old van der Mescht made 75 appearances for Stade during four seasons in Paris – scoring seven tries.
Born in Pretoria, he began his professional career with the Durban-based Sharks franchise, making 23 appearances in three seasons across the Super Rugby, Rainbow Cup and Currie Cup competitions.
Van der Mescht also represented South Africa at Under-20s level, playing five matches at the 2019 World Rugby Championship and scoring twice as the Junior Boks picked up a bronze medal in Argentina.
“Our new scrum coach, Jaco Pienaar, had worked with JJ at the Sharks, and said to us that he is an unbelievably powerful athlete who can play the game,” said Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
“JJ’s potential is through the roof. As well as his obvious physical attributes, he can really play ball – Jaco joked that JJ is a fly-half trapped in a second row’s body. He’s also capable of making big plays which can turn matches, like charging down a kick and sprinting in for a 50-metre try when we played them in January, for example.
“He’s very good at knocking mauls apart, he’s very good at carrying hard, and he’s got a good skillset already, but I have no doubt that our coaching group can get a lot more out of him as well.”
Phil Dowson, Director of Rugby
“We have a fine track record of developing top-quality locks – not just in the current crop of second row forwards already in our squad, but if you look at the likes of David Ribbans, Alex Moon, and Temo Mayanavanua as well, who came on leaps and bounds during their time here at Saints.
“So, it was a good match. JJ has aspirations to improve and get the most out of his undoubted potential, and the big selling point for him was that at Saints we have the ability to coach him really hard to achieve that.”
The lock is Northampton’s sixth new signing ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, joining No.8 Callum Chick, fly-half Anthony Belleau, props Danilo Fischetti and Cleopas Kundiona, and wing Amena Caqusau in making summer moves to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. The men in Black, Green and Gold have also promoted eight players from the Club’s Academy set-up into the senior squad.
Van der Mescht will link up with Saints later this month as Dowson’s side begins preseason training, and the second row is excited to see what he can add to Northampton’s squad.
“I love the way that Northampton Saints play rugby, full of style and excitement,” he said. “It was clear after playing against Saints last season that this is a talented team who are tightly connected and genuinely enjoy playing together.
“The Club also has a fantastic reputation for developing players. That came through strongly in my conversations with the coaches – they’re passionate about helping players grow.”
JJ van der Mescht
“I’m hungry to keep improving and take my 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 – and that’s a challenge I’m really excited about.
“I’m also really looking forward to coming over and playing in the Premiership. A lot of my friends play in the league, so I’ve been watching it closely, and it’s always been a goal of mine to come over and play in England. I’m proud to be making that move and excited to see what I can bring to the competition.
“I’ll be coming over to Northampton for the first time in a few weeks, and my wife and I are very excited for that.
“One thing that really struck me when I played against Saints in Paris was the number of supporters who had made the trip over the France – I loved chatting with them after the game. They were great people, and I can’t wait to be part of that community.”
MAPU DEPARTS NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Northampton Saints also confirm the departure of No.8 Iakopo Mapu, who moves across the Channel to Stade Français Paris.
The Samoan international signed for the men in Black, Green and Gold in November 2024 to provide injury cover in the back row after the long-term injury sustained by Sam Graham.
Mapu, 27, became Saint #2106 when he made his debut in a victory over Castres Olympique in December, and the No.8 went on to make seven appearances in total for Northampton – scoring tries against Nottingham in the Premiership Rugby Cup and Gloucester Rugby on the final day of the Gallagher Premiership season.
