The Springboks have no shortage of options when it comes to expanding their player resources and depth pool, as evidenced by the host of players included in the first alignment camp of the year.
Yet, when it comes to underrated players on the local domestic scene, there is good cause to suggest Stormers forward Ben-Jason Dixon is not necessarily getting all the credit he deserves.
The versatile forward can play at lock, but has begun to settle at blinDside flank, and this season he has again made his presence felt for the Stormers.
The 25-year-old, who first featured for the Stormers in 2020, impressively made 21 appearances in all competitions in a breakthrough 2022-23 season.
He also featured prominently at the backend of the season during the playoff stage, underlining the faith placed in him by Stormers coach John Dobson.
“2023 was a big year for me. It was massive,” Dixon recently reflected. “That was kind of my breakthrough season. In the first URC, I played a bit off the bench after I came back from a knee injury. I got my first start at the end of 2022, in December. Luckily, I got lots of opportunities after that. I made the most of it and am really, really happy about how the year went.
These are the areas he later identified as key facets of his game that he hoped to improve: “I want to keep making hits, but also run a bit better with the ball and give my team momentum on attack and just sharpen up on a few technical areas.
“That mentality is something that I am personally working towards. To have that attacking mindset, whether you have the ball or not, to go at the other team in any situation. I am very excited to go places with this team this year.”
Ben-Jason Dixon has Springbok potential
It’s fair to say that the talented youngster has continued to grow as a player this season, having now established himself as one of the Stormers’ most influential forwards.
Dixon has not really been spoken of much in a Springbok context, but there is every reason to believe his consistency and work rate could soon begin to attract the attention of the national coaches.
“I love the physical stuff and I love being involved in maul tries,” he shared in an another interview. “I am especially passionate about defence. Not just the tackling but getting off the line as well and putting the other team under pressure.
“I would like to keep working on my overall game. I am working on my attack, which includes offloads through contact, so I want to improve.”
Going from strength to strength
The Springboks love a ‘warrior’, and Ben-Jason Dixon’s appetite for defence along with a tireless work engine could soon elevate him to the next level.
“I realised you don’t get so many opportunities at this level. You are not going to be thrown in the starting line-up every week,” he reflected after getting regular game-time for the Stormers.
“You need to take your opportunities and I was very aware of that and it was a case where I had to show what I am about.”
PLAYERS INVITED TO FIRST BOK ALIGNMENT CAMP (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):
Forwards: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Celimpilo Gumede (Vodacom Bulls), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Ruan Venter (Emirates Lions), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Henco van Wyk (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
