AnalysisSpringboksSA Rugby Mag17h ago

Former Boks back JJ van der Mescht for Springbok call-up in 2026

Former Springboks are calling on Rassie Erasmus to fast-track JJ van der Mescht into the national setup, with SA Rugby Mag making the case that the lock is ready for the step up in 2026.

SA Rugby Mag's Morne Esben makes the case that JJ van der Mescht is positioning himself as a genuine Springbok lock option heading into 2026, with ex-Bok voices adding weight to the push for Erasmus to take a closer look. The piece draws on the opinions of former players to argue that the giant lock is ready for the step up — and that Erasmus should be paying attention.

If you're tracking the lock depth chart and who might push into the Bok setup over the next 12 months, this one's worth the read.

Read the originalRead the full piece on SA Rugby Mag

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Rassie Erasmus
Springboks

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