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 into genuine Springbok contention.
“JJ van der Mescht from Northampton, 145kg, has got a call-up,” Matfield said on the Rivals podcast. “I saw him play as a youngster and at schoolboy level he was unbelievable. He’s big, but he’s fast and he’s got great skills. If you think of a guy like RG Snyman being out for the year, someone like him can maybe come in and play off the bench.”
Matfield also pointed to what Van der Mescht brings that sets him apart from the existing Springbok lock options.
“He won’t be used a lot in the lineout, but he’ll be the guy carrying hard in midfield,” he said. “He’s got great skills; offloading, getting through tackles. I think he might just be the big surprise Rassie brings in this year.”
SPRINGBOK FIXTURES IN 2026
Nations Championship (Home)
4 July: South Africa vs England (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
11 July: South Africa vs Scotland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
18 July: South Africa vs Wales (Kings Park, Durban)
“Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” vs All Blacks
22 Aug: 1st Test: South Africa vs New Zealand (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
29 Aug: 2nd Test: South Africa vs New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
5 Sept: 3rd Test: South Africa vs New Zealand (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)
12 Sept: 4th Test: South Africa vs New Zealand (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)
Nations Championship (Away)
7 Nov: Italy vs South Africa (Venue TBC)
13 Nov: France vs South Africa (Stade de France, Paris)
21 Nov: Ireland vs South Africa (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Additional Once-Off 2026 Fixtures:
20 June: Warm-up: Springboks vs Barbarians (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium)
8 Aug: Test Match: Argentina vs Springboks (Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires)
27 Sept: Test Match: Wallabies vs Springboks (Optus Stadium, Perth)
