‘I’m a scary sight’ – Northampton’s 23-stone, one-meal man

JJ van der Mescht is sympathetic to opposition defenses.

He tells BBC Look East, “It must be terrifying.”

A 145 kg (22 kg) man is two meters (6 feet 7 inches) tall and running at you.

The perspective-warping Northampton lock stands out even among the ranks of professional rugby players. He is the Prem’s second-highest player and the second-highest player.

He can also shift.

Van der Mescht completed the 100-meter race in 11 seconds as a student.

For aspiring tacklers, it’s a frightful prospect. a fairly typical one, too.

Van der Mescht has taken up Northampton’s ball-carrying slack since his summer arrival, Juarno Augustus, a fellow South African, has left for Ulster, and has already done so.

The 26-year-old has the league’s highest percentage of dominant carries among any forwards, with an average of 12 carries per game in the top flight.

He claims, “It’s amazing feeling, taking the ball at full tilt.”

“I’ve always loved doing it, and that’s taking the ball.”

Van der Mescht was once even more prevalent.

He returned to his former club Stade Francais in 2022 after a heavy wedding celebration, weighing 160 kg (25 st 3 lbs.).

He has since started an intermittent fast, which involves not eating for a long period of time throughout the day. His enormous frame and gainline power are now incredibly dependent on just one meal per day.

A big steak is definitely his favorite, right?

Van der Mescht, whose mother was a 6’3″ international netball player and his father a professional wrestler, says, “I can’t really eat more than that.”

It’s just one meal per evening because my stomach is much smaller now.

“Sometimes I’ll have a snack if I really need some energy.” Additionally, game day is slightly different; I’ll instead have pasta before the game.

Just one meal per day, I suppose. Everyone has a unique personality. Some people will like it, but others won’t.

“I just discovered it works for me,” he said.

It also applies to Saints’ game plan. At the halfway point of the campaign, they are at the top of the Prem’s fast hands and quick recycling.

“I need to be more mobile and keep up with all the boys who are just amazing players,” Van der Mescht says, “Playing in the Prem, which is much faster than the Top 14, especially in this team that moves the ball around.”

“I don’t want to let these guys down,” I said.

The emotional connection is strong but new. A small village about 12 miles from Northampton is where Van der Mescht and his wife Carla have settled.

They already feel at home after struggling in Paris’s obscurity.

“I adore the people. Amazing fans. When we walk down the street, people say, “Jo, it’s so lovely to meet you.” He claims that is amazing and that he really, really, really enjoys it.

“That sense of community that I always felt at home,” I realized when I was in France.

Carla broke down as a result of the number of Christmas cards their new neighbors sent, and Van der Mescht has been volunteering to train nearby Towcestrians.

He claims that seeing these guys working a nine to five schedule and attending training are “always up for it.”

Van der Mescht, who represented South Africa at the under-20 World Cup in 2019, is awaiting a new coach.

With all three of Eben Etzebeth’s actors under the age of 30, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, and Franco Mostert could face Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus, who is undoubtedly drawn to Van der Mescht’s X-factor properties?

It is a target for every South African, according to Van der Mescht.

You have a strong desire to play for the Springboks since you were a young child.

We have some wonderful locks, they say. World-class players are present.

Instead of focusing solely on becoming a Springbok, I feel like I’m first working on myself to improve.

That will happen if I concentrate on improving my rugby and my self-esteem.

“I must trust the procedure, but it’s unquestionably my goal,” he said.