Victor Matfield tips JJ van der Mescht as potential Bok 'breakout star' in 2026

The towering lock, who weighs around 145kg, has enjoyed a superb first season with the English club since joining from Stade Francais in 2025.

Van der Mescht spent four years in Paris and, despite receiving regular opportunities, struggled to fully establish himself during his time in the French capital.

However, the move to the Premiership has revitalised the 27-year-old's career, with his performances earning recognition from Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus through a call-up to the national alignment camp.

While that does not guarantee Test involvement this season, Matfield believes the second-row forward could make a major impact for South Africa ahead of the Nations Championship starting in July.

"JJ van der Mescht from Northampton, 145kgs, has got a call-up. He went over to France as a youngster, went up to about 170kgs at some stage playing for Stade Francais," he said on the Rivals podcast.

"I saw him play as a youngster and at schoolboy level he was just unbelievable. He's big but he's fast, he's got great skills and if you think of a guy like RG Snyman is out for the year, someone like him can maybe come in and play off the bench.

"He won't be used a lot in the lineout, he will be the guy running it up in the midfield and he's got great skills - off-loading and getting through those tackles.

"I think he might just be the big surprise that Rassie brings in this year."

Van der Mescht's call-up came in March but Erasmus' most recent alignment camp last week saw them gather the domestic-based players together.

That included Bulls star Papier, who has a surprising omission over the past couple of years considering his form for the Pretoria outfit.

"The one guy I am really happy to see there is Embrose Papier, he's been playing really well for the Bulls and in the previous alignment camps he hasn't been invited," Matfield said.

There was no place for some of the older players, however, with the likes of Willie le Roux not included, but Matfield does not believe that it is necessarily the end of the 36-year-old's Test career.

"There are a few guys that are getting a bit older, there are young new guys coming through. I think a guy like Willie le Roux, if he gets a chance, knows exactly how they want to play and what they want to do," he added.

"That's one thing Rassie is pretty good at; if he feels it's time to move on, get someone new in, he will use them, but he doesn't say that guy won't come back and, if needed, put right back into the position.

"It's for new guys coming through and wanting to see how things are done, so I'm pretty happy with the squad he's picked."

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