Northampton Saints signed South African lock Juan John ‘JJ’ van der Mescht ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The 6’7”, 145kg second row arrived 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 in the pool stages of the Investec Champions Cup when the sides met at 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.