Meet JJ van der Mescht, the 6ft 7in, 146kg Saint: 'A fly-half trapped in a second-row's body'
As Northampton Saints prepare for their Champions Cup quarter-final clash against Bath, the spotlight falls on South African lock JJ van der Mescht. Standing at 6ft 7in and weighing 146kg, Van der Mescht is one of the heaviest players in the Premiership, known for his unique combination of massive size and surprising agility, having run the 100m in 11 seconds as a schoolboy. Described by coaches as a 'fly-half trapped in a second-row's body,' he brings a direct running game that creates significant post-contact meters. The article highlights his history with former teammate Thomas du Toit (now at Bath), his past physical trials against legends like Tendai Mtawarira, and his current diet regimen involving fasting and heavy steaks. Since joining Northampton, Van der Mescht has regained his passion for rugby and aims to help the team overcome being written off, while keeping an eye on future Springbok selection.
Wire timeline
Meet JJ van der Mescht, the 6ft 7in, 146kg Saint: 'A fly-half trapped in a second-row's body'
As Northampton Saints prepare for their Champions Cup quarter-final clash against Bath, the spotlight falls on South African lock JJ van der Mescht. Standing at 6ft 7in and weighing 146kg, Van der Mescht is one of the heaviest players in the Premiership, known for his unique combination of massive size and surprising agility, having run the 100m in 11 seconds as a schoolboy. Described by coaches as a 'fly-half trapped in a second-row's body,' he brings a direct running game that creates significant post-contact meters. The article highlights his history with former teammate Thomas du Toit (now at Bath), his past physical trials against legends like Tendai Mtawarira, and his current diet regimen involving fasting and heavy steaks. Since joining Northampton, Van der Mescht has regained his passion for rugby and aims to help the team overcome being written off, while keeping an eye on future Springbok selection.
The Guardian