At 26, JJ van der Mescht isn't swept up by the Springbok frenzy despite his recent inclusion in a virtual alignment camp for overseas-based players. The towering lock, who weighs in at a colossal 145kg and stands two meters tall, has been identified as a promising asset by none other than head coach Rassie Erasmus. With 20 other uncapped talents like Carlü Sadie, van der Mescht is seen as a significant addition, especially given concerns about the squad’s lock depth.
Erasmus hasn't shied away from praising van der Mescht, labeling him a "monster" and a strong candidate for future selections. Yet, van der Mescht remains firmly grounded, prioritizing his performance at Northampton Saints over a potential Springboks cap. He believes that focusing on his club duties and enjoying the game is the best approach to eventually donning the green and gold.
"I always worried and thought 'I need to do something [special]' to get into the Springboks team, but lately, I’ve just been focusing on what I’m doing, getting through my processes, playing rugby, and enjoying rugby,"
he shared during an interview with the Off The Pitch Rugby YouTube channel.
Despite the allure of a Springbok jersey, van der Mescht maintains a pragmatic outlook, asserting that life will go on even if he never plays at the international level. He cherishes his family and life outside rugby, which keeps him balanced and focused on the joy of the sport rather than the pressure of national selection.
His philosophy seems to be paying off, as he feels his form has improved significantly since he shifted his focus. Van der Mescht trusts Erasmus's judgment completely, confident that the seasoned coach will recognize when he's ready to step up.
"If I do play well enough, I know Rassie is a very smart man, a great coach, and he will know when I will be ready. So, I don’t need to dwell on whether I’m ready or not. He will know when I’m ready, and if that opportunity comes, he’ll give me my opportunity,”
he explained. With the Rugby World Cup looming in Australia, van der Mescht is cautious about getting caught up in individual goals, focusing instead on contributing to his team's success in any capacity he can.
Whether on the field or cheering from the sidelines, van der Mescht will support the Springboks, confident in the abilities of those selected to represent the nation. His team-first attitude underscores a maturity that complements his physical prowess, making him a player to watch as selections for the World Cup approach.
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At 26, JJ van der Mescht isn't swept up by the Springbok frenzy despite his recent inclusion in a virtual alignment camp for overseas-based players. The towering lock, who weighs in at a colossal 145kg and stands two meters tall, has been identified as a promising asset by none other than head coach Rassie Erasmus. With 20 other uncapped talents like Carlü Sadie, van der Mescht is seen as a significant addition, especially given concerns about the squad’s lock depth.
Erasmus hasn't shied away from praising van der Mescht, labeling him a "monster" and a strong candidate for future selections. Yet, van der Mescht remains firmly grounded, prioritizing his performance at Northampton Saints over a potential Springboks cap. He believes that focusing on his club duties and enjoying the game is the best approach to eventually donning the green and gold.
"I always worried and thought 'I need to do something [special]' to get into the Springboks team, but lately, I’ve just been focusing on what I’m doing, getting through my processes, playing rugby, and enjoying rugby,"
he shared during an interview with the Off The Pitch Rugby YouTube channel.
Despite the allure of a Springbok jersey, van der Mescht maintains a pragmatic outlook, asserting that life will go on even if he never plays at the international level. He cherishes his family and life outside rugby, which keeps him balanced and focused on the joy of the sport rather than the pressure of national selection.
His philosophy seems to be paying off, as he feels his form has improved significantly since he shifted his focus. Van der Mescht trusts Erasmus's judgment completely, confident that the seasoned coach will recognize when he's ready to step up.
"If I do play well enough, I know Rassie is a very smart man, a great coach, and he will know when I will be ready. So, I don’t need to dwell on whether I’m ready or not. He will know when I’m ready, and if that opportunity comes, he’ll give me my opportunity,”
he explained. With the Rugby World Cup looming in Australia, van der Mescht is cautious about getting caught up in individual goals, focusing instead on contributing to his team's success in any capacity he can.
Whether on the field or cheering from the sidelines, van der Mescht will support the Springboks, confident in the abilities of those selected to represent the nation. His team-first attitude underscores a maturity that complements his physical prowess, making him a player to watch as selections for the World Cup approach.