The Springboks have no shortage of options when it comes to expanding their player resources and depth, as evidenced by the number of players taking part in the first training camp of the year.
But when it comes to underrated players on the local domestic scene, there are good reasons to suggest the Stormers forward. ben jason dixon He doesn't necessarily get all the recognition he deserves.
The versatile forward can also play at lock, but has begun to settle into playing on the blindside and has once again made his presence felt for the Stormers this season.
The 25-year-old, who made his debut for the Stormers in 2020, made a breakthrough in the 2022-23 season, making an astonishing 21 appearances in all competitions.
He also featured prominently in the play-off stages at the end of the season, underscoring the confidence Stormers coach John Dobson had in him.
“2023 was a big year for me. It was huge,” Dixon recently reflected. “That was a breakout season for me in a way. In my first URC, I played a little bit off the bench after coming back from a knee injury. I made my first start in December at the end of 2022. I've been fortunate enough to have had a lot of opportunities since then, and I've made the most of them and I'm really, really happy with how this past year has gone.
These are areas he later cited as important aspects of his game and would like to improve. technical area.
“That mentality is something I'm personally striving for. To have that offensive mindset of going towards the other team in any situation, whether you have the ball or not. I've been working on a lot of different things with this team this year. I’m really excited to go there.”
Ben Jason Dixon has Springbok potential
It is no exaggeration to say that the talented youngster has continued to develop as a player this season and has now established himself as one of the Stormers' most influential forwards.
Dixon hasn't been talked about much in the Springbok context, but there's good reason to believe his consistency and work rate could soon start attracting the attention of national coaches.
“I love the physical stuff and I love participating in maul tries,” he said in a separate interview. “I am particularly passionate about defense, not just tackling but also getting off the line and putting pressure on the opposing team.
“I want to continue to work on my game as a whole. I’m working on my offense, including offloading through contact, so I want to continue to improve.”
From strength to strength
The Springboks love a 'warrior' and Ben-Jason Dixon's defensive drive and tireless effort engine could soon take him to the next level.
“I realized that at this level you don't get a lot of chances. You can't be put in the starting line-up every week,” he reflected after earning regular game appearances for the Stormers.
“You have to take chances. I was very conscious of that and it was a case of me having to show what I am.”
Players invited to the first BOK alignment camp (in alphabetical order):
forward: Eben Ezebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neesling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Selimpiro Gumede (Vodacom Bulls), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Andre Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elli Rowe (Vodacom Bulls), Wilco Rowe (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) ), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntukho Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salman Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan Norche (Vodacom Bulls), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwaga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers), Marco van… Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Luan Venter (Emirates Lions), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Bucks: Luhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Sasha Feinberg-Mgomezulu (DHL Stormers), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers) , Jaden Hendrickse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Hendrickse (Emirates Lions), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie Le. Lou (Vodacom Bulls), Manny Livbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kanan Moody (Vodacom Bulls), Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), Morne van den Bergh (Emirates Lions), Henko van Wyk (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).