Sharks Lock named Hero of the Day at Craven Week

.The prestigious Coca-Cola Hero of the Day award is presented on each day of the tournament in recognition of a game changing ‘hero’ moment. 

 JJ was selected for the award by a Coca-Cola appointed panel of rugby experts, led by Springbok legend Victor Matfield.

 He scored the first try of the match and had an opportunity to score another but selflessly passed the ball to his captain Phendulani Buthelezi to score instead.

“It is an honor and privilege to get the Hero of the Day award, and an even greater privilege to get the award from one of my heroes, Victor Matfield,” said Mescht.

“JJ is part of a fantastic Sharks team and is one of the reasons they are such a great team. What impressed me the most was his incredible sportsmanship and selflessness when he offloaded the ball to his teammate when he could’ve dotted it down himself,” said Matfield.

Phindi Phiri, Coca-Cola South Africa’s Marketing Assets Manager, “Congratulations to JJ for being chosen as the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day for day 4. The Coca-Cola Craven Week is where South Africa’s best, up and coming rugby players are identified – this is where heroes are made. JJ is a selfless player that puts his team mates first. Part of being a hero is being a team player and he embodies this trait perfectly. I hope that this is just the beginning of a long and successful career in rugby for him.”