From ‘Too Big’ to Rugby’s X-Factor Lock | JJ van der Mescht

In this episode of Lessons From The Game, we sit down with JJ van der Mescht, the towering South African lock now making waves at Northampton Saints. From his days as a multi-sport schoolboy in Durban, to a headline move to France with Stade Français, JJ shares how he turned doubts about his size into fuel for success.

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We unpack his journey of resilience, mental strength, and belief, his transformation from being labelled “overweight” to becoming a dominant force in the scrum, and how he balances professional rugby with coaching and building his real estate business.

This is a powerful conversation for young props, locks, and coaches looking to learn what it takes to dominate on and off the field.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of JJ van der Meest

05:05 Belief and Self-Confidence in Rugby

11:34 The Importance of Pre-Season Training

17:45 Multi-Sport Background and Its Impact

23:26 Navigating the Path to Professional Rugby

29:10 Experiences in South African Rugby

32:24 Transitioning to Stade Francais

36:31 The Move to Northampton Saints

41:51 Mental Health and Balancing Life

47:19 Setting Goals and Improving Skills

52:09 Future Aspirations Beyond Rugby

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