Northampton's Van Der Mescht In Springboks Reckoning

Northampton 2nd statement JJ van der Mescht is successful contention for a elder South Africa call-up aft being invited to a virtual alignment campy by nan Springboks.

Van der Mescht represented South Africa Under-20s astatine their 2019 age-grade World Championships, but is yet to beryllium capped for nan elder side.

The 26-year-old has been successful good shape since arriving astatine Saints from Stade Francais past summer, pinch only team-mate Sam Graham registering a higher percent of ascendant carries among Prem forwards, according to Opta stats.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said Van der Mescht had "performed really good of his nine this season" arsenic he included nan 23-stone fastener successful an online get-together for overseas-based players.

"For each South African, it is simply a target to play for South Africa," Van der Mescht told BBC Look East successful January.

"Since you're a small kid, you ever want to play for nan Springboks."