Snyman 2.0? Why JJ van der Mescht is the closest thing the Springboks have to The Viking

COMMENT

South African rugby has never struggled to produce world-class locks, but replacing a player like RG Snyman is no small task.

It’s a player with a rare blend of size, skill, and offloading ability, and that has made him a unique weapon for the Springboks, especially as part of the Bomb Squad.

Yet, as the next international season looms, there is a compelling case for JJ van der Mescht to step into that role — and for Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus and his management to act sooner rather than later.

Van der Mescht is not just another big-bodied lock. At 26-year old, he is entering his prime, and his performances for Northampton Saints show he has developed into a forward who has the ability to make it at the top.

What makes the former Junior Bok particularly exciting is how closely his skillset mirrors that of Snyman. His ball carries come with authority; he consistently breaks the first tackle and keeps defensive lines honest, but crucially, the lock also possesses the soft hands to keep the ball alive.

That ability to offload in contact is something few locks have, especially at the highest level — and that is what has made Snyman such a massive game-changer for the Boks when he is on the park.

Beyond his attacking abilities, Van der Mescht offers that kind of physical edge that  SA players are known for. He is difficult to tackle and often needs multiple defenders to halt his momentum. This not only generates front-foot ball effectively but also creates space for the backs — a key component of the ever-evolving Springbok attacking structure under Tony Brown.

Add to that his solid line-out work, and it becomes clear that he ticks all the fundamental boxes required of an international lock.

The real question, then, is not whether Van der Mescht is ready — but whether the Springboks are prepared to invest in him early enough. With the international season kicking off in July during the Nations Championship, there is a perfect opportunity to integrate him into the system.

Erasmus has built his success on forward planning and squad depth, and this is exactly the kind of calculated transition that has kept the Boks ahead of the rest of the world.

Of course, Van der Mescht will not replace Snyman overnight. Nor should he be expected to. But the process of succession must begin now. By exposing him to test rugby this season, the Springboks can fast-track his development and ensure he is fully in the system by the time the next Rugby World Cup arrives next year in Australia.

If the Boks want to maintain dominance and stay ahead of the rest, they cannot afford to delay getting the next locks in. Van der Mescht was part of the junior system in the country, and if he adapts to the structure of Erasmus, he can go on to play a strong role beyond the World Cup.

The longer he stays on the fringes, the bigger the risk of missing out on a seamless transition ahead of the World Cup. He is the player the Boks need — now they must have the conviction to get him in and use him.