Northampton second row JJ van der Mescht is in contention for a senior South Africa call-up after being invited to a virtual alignment camp by the Springboks.
Van der Mescht represented South Africa Under-20s at their 2019 age-grade World Championships, but is yet to be capped for the senior side.
The 26-year-old has been in fine form since arriving at Saints from Stade Francais last summer, with only team-mate Sam Graham registering a higher percentage of dominant carries among Prem forwards, according to Opta stats.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said Van der Mescht had “performed really well of his club this season” as he included the 23-stone lock in an online get-together for overseas-based players.
“For every South African, it is a target to play for South Africa,” Van der Mescht told BBC Look East in January.
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South Africa second row regulars Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman and Franco Mostert are all over 30, potentially opening up opportunities for Van der Mescht and others.
Bath prop Thomas du Toit, who will leave the defending English champions for the Durban-based Sharks in the summer, and second row Jean Kleyn, who will arrive at Gloucester from Munster at the same time, are also included.
South Africa will play a Barbarians side led by former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on 20 June, before meeting England in their opening match in the new Nations Championship on 4 July.
Related topics
- Northampton Saints
- Rugby Union
- 21 January
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