Springboks legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers have recently weighed in on the strategic inclusion of JJ van der Mescht in the Springboks squad, signaling a tactical evolution under the watch of Rassie Erasmus. Van der Mescht, a towering lock from Northampton Saints, has been roped into the Springboks' plans amidst concerns over the existing lock options. At 26 years old and a hefty 145 kg, the former Sharks and Stade Francais player is seen as a potential game-changer for the team.
Rassie Erasmus openly admitted the gaps within the team's lock department, emphasizing the need for fresh blood. "My honest opinion is that we are thin at lock," Erasmus stated, highlighting the age and experience disparities within the current pool. He further elaborated on van der Mescht's role, questioning, "Will he have enough time [before the World Cup], and will we have enough hands-on time with him to get him into the Springbok culture and shape?"
On the 'Verdict' podcast, Jean de Villiers discussed the broader strategy of integrating younger players into the national squad, a move he sees as crucial not just for immediate needs but for future competitions. "You have to look at the age profile of the players, not just in terms of this year, but next year’s World Cup and then post-World Cup," De Villiers explained.
"JJ van der Mescht is a big human being. He kind of fits that four lock profile, a big bruiser, big carrier, so it’s great that they are getting him in,"
De Villiers added.
Schalk Burger, too, highlighted van der Mescht's potential impact. "He brings that enforcer role, ball-carrying ability, he’s massive. With our four locks at the moment, we have Eben, obviously he has got the work rate, but he’s an older player who has been out for the bulk of the URC," Burger noted. He continued,
"You can always have an extra X factor. You think about how dominant the Springbok pack is, and then you add an extra carrier like JJ, it can’t be a bad thing."
The discussion also touched on other potential candidates like Ruan Venter, who, according to De Villiers, brings a 'hard-edge' that complements the current lineup. "If you look at the URC, Ruan Venter is suddenly playing four lock. He is nice and mobile, but also very physical," De Villiers pointed out, suggesting a possible shift in the archetype for South African locks moving forward.
The induction of players like van der Mescht indicates a strategic pivot by the Springboks, aiming to blend size, youth, and agility to maintain their competitive edge on the global stage. As they prepare for upcoming challenges, the integration of these new talents will be crucial in defining their trajectory in international rugby.
2,100 posts
Springboks legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers have recently weighed in on the strategic inclusion of JJ van der Mescht in the Springboks squad, signaling a tactical evolution under the watch of Rassie Erasmus. Van der Mescht, a towering lock from Northampton Saints, has been roped into the Springboks' plans amidst concerns over the existing lock options. At 26 years old and a hefty 145 kg, the former Sharks and Stade Francais player is seen as a potential game-changer for the team.
Rassie Erasmus openly admitted the gaps within the team's lock department, emphasizing the need for fresh blood. "My honest opinion is that we are thin at lock," Erasmus stated, highlighting the age and experience disparities within the current pool. He further elaborated on van der Mescht's role, questioning, "Will he have enough time [before the World Cup], and will we have enough hands-on time with him to get him into the Springbok culture and shape?"
On the 'Verdict' podcast, Jean de Villiers discussed the broader strategy of integrating younger players into the national squad, a move he sees as crucial not just for immediate needs but for future competitions. "You have to look at the age profile of the players, not just in terms of this year, but next year’s World Cup and then post-World Cup," De Villiers explained.
"JJ van der Mescht is a big human being. He kind of fits that four lock profile, a big bruiser, big carrier, so it’s great that they are getting him in,"
De Villiers added.Schalk Burger, too, highlighted van der Mescht's potential impact. "He brings that enforcer role, ball-carrying ability, he’s massive. With our four locks at the moment, we have Eben, obviously he has got the work rate, but he’s an older player who has been out for the bulk of the URC," Burger noted. He continued,
"You can always have an extra X factor. You think about how dominant the Springbok pack is, and then you add an extra carrier like JJ, it can’t be a bad thing."
The discussion also touched on other potential candidates like Ruan Venter, who, according to De Villiers, brings a 'hard-edge' that complements the current lineup. "If you look at the URC, Ruan Venter is suddenly playing four lock. He is nice and mobile, but also very physical," De Villiers pointed out, suggesting a possible shift in the archetype for South African locks moving forward.
The induction of players like van der Mescht indicates a strategic pivot by the Springboks, aiming to blend size, youth, and agility to maintain their competitive edge on the global stage. As they prepare for upcoming challenges, the integration of these new talents will be crucial in defining their trajectory in international rugby.