Springbok recognition for uncapped PREM heavyweight JJ van der Mescht

Giant Northampton lock JJ van der Mescht is one of two uncapped overseas players in a group of 21 to be invited to attend a virtual alignment group on Tuesday ahead of the start of South Africa’s Nations Championship campaign.

With his barnstorming runs, the 145kg bruiser has played a key role in helping Saints to the summit of the PREM Rugby table and that form has now been recognised by the Springboks management.

The 26-year-old will attend the virtual sessions along with Bordeaux-Begles prop, Carlü Sadie, who is also a former Junior Bok.

Back in the mix is scrum-half Herschel Jantjies, a member of the triumphant 2019 World Cup squad who last played for the Boks in 2023, and centre Lukhanyo Am, whose last Test was in 2024.

The other World Cup winners invited to the camp are World Rugby and SA Rugby men’s player of the year Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman and Jasper Wiese (forwards) and backs Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe and Manie Libbok.

This camp follows the first in-person camp earlier this month, where 49 players reported for duty in Cape Town.

“Our in-person alignment camp was successful in terms of exposing the players to our expectations and the detail we are looking for at international level this season, and we are thrilled to present those plans to the overseas-based players,” said Rassie Erasmus.

“The main purpose of the alignment camps is to get everyone on the same page and ensure that they understand our values and what we are trying to achieve on the field, and with the international season drawing closer, it’s a good time to get the players tuned into our systems and structures, so by the time we have our first official training camp in June, everyone is aware of what we expect from them.”

Erasmus added: “Carlü and JJ have performed really well for their clubs this season, and players such as Herschel and Lukhanyo, last played for us a while ago, so it’s important that they are up to date with how our systems have changed and what our key pillars are, so it is pleasing to see them among this experienced group of international players.”

Erasmus and his coaching team will host their second alignment camp in Cape Town followed by another virtual alignment camp in May as they build towards the game against the Barbarians in Gqberha on Saturday, 20 June, which precedes three home-based matches in the Nations Championship, against England in Johannesburg (4 July), Scotland in Pretoria (11 July), and Wales in Durban (18 July).

They will then meet Argentina in Buenos Aires (8 August), and the All Blacks in four Tests in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in August and September.

This will be followed by an away Test against the Wallabies in Australia (27 September). The second leg of the Nations Championship kicks off in Europe at the end of the year, with matches against Italy (7 November), France (13 November), and Ireland (21 November), before the Finals Weekend in London (27 to 29 November).

Players invited to first virtual Springbok alignment camp:

Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Carlü Sadie, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Boan Venter, JJ van der Mescht, Marnus van der Merwe, Jasper Wiese.

Backs: Damian de Allende, Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok.