Like a bolt from the blue, Ben-Jason Dixon finds himself back in the Springbok jersey, and it's fair to say he was as shocked as anyone. Coming off a quiet season with the Stormers, thanks partly to a wrist surgery setback, Dixon's inclusion in Rassie Erasmus' 36-man squad for the year-end tour was a stunner. Yet, here he is, ready to add some spice to the green and gold once more.
Dixon, whose rugby boots last graced a Test match over a year ago during a face-off with Argentina in Santiago, shared his unexpected joy. "I’m very excited. I had to wait a while before being brought back into the mix again," he admitted from Treviso, where he's currently prepping with the Stormers for a clash against Benetton. "The call came as a bit of a surprise, to be honest, but I’m glad to be part of that environment again. It’s always a higher level and you’ve got to deliver your best."
"I missed out earlier this season. I had just returned from a wrist injury which required surgery at the time and was itching to go, but unfortunately, I wasn’t selected, which was maybe not a big surprise because I don’t think I had the best URC season up to that point."
But that's all in the rearview mirror now. Dixon is back to his best, and with a game against Benetton on the horizon, he's not holding anything back. "I will still be giving my 100%, but a better 100% than last week! I’m really looking forward to this match and I certainly won’t be holding back," he said, flashing a grin that could disarm even the sternest rugby critic.
With only five Tests to his name but an undoubted hunger to increase that tally, Dixon's resurgence is timely, given the Boks' packed schedule. The flanker's path hasn't been the smoothest, but with his recent form and a high-stakes tour looming, Dixon might just be the wildcard the Springboks need to keep opponents guessing – and his teammates inspired.
2,193 posts
Like a bolt from the blue, Ben-Jason Dixon finds himself back in the Springbok jersey, and it's fair to say he was as shocked as anyone. Coming off a quiet season with the Stormers, thanks partly to a wrist surgery setback, Dixon's inclusion in Rassie Erasmus' 36-man squad for the year-end tour was a stunner. Yet, here he is, ready to add some spice to the green and gold once more.
Dixon, whose rugby boots last graced a Test match over a year ago during a face-off with Argentina in Santiago, shared his unexpected joy. "I’m very excited. I had to wait a while before being brought back into the mix again," he admitted from Treviso, where he's currently prepping with the Stormers for a clash against Benetton. "The call came as a bit of a surprise, to be honest, but I’m glad to be part of that environment again. It’s always a higher level and you’ve got to deliver your best."
"I missed out earlier this season. I had just returned from a wrist injury which required surgery at the time and was itching to go, but unfortunately, I wasn’t selected, which was maybe not a big surprise because I don’t think I had the best URC season up to that point."
But that's all in the rearview mirror now. Dixon is back to his best, and with a game against Benetton on the horizon, he's not holding anything back. "I will still be giving my 100%, but a better 100% than last week! I’m really looking forward to this match and I certainly won’t be holding back," he said, flashing a grin that could disarm even the sternest rugby critic.
With only five Tests to his name but an undoubted hunger to increase that tally, Dixon's resurgence is timely, given the Boks' packed schedule. The flanker's path hasn't been the smoothest, but with his recent form and a high-stakes tour looming, Dixon might just be the wildcard the Springboks need to keep opponents guessing – and his teammates inspired.