Ben-Jason Dixon has already played more for the Stormers and Western Province than he expected but is fired up for a final push towards the Currie Cup semi-finals.
In what has been a breakthrough season for the 25-year-old, Dixon has played in 21 games for the Stormers in all competitions.
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Having started the season at lock, he has also gained some valuable experience at blindside flank, proving himself to be a relentless machine on defence, often topping the tackle count when he has started.
“I’m delighted with how the season has gone,” Dixon said, during a Western Province press conference. “Thinking back to the start of the season I was wondering how it was going to look. I was thinking I was probably going to come off the bench in a lot of matches.
“I got to start in the middle of the season and it has been going well.
“I got a lot more game time from there and I didn’t expect to get so many opportunities at No 7. Playing at flank has been a lot of fun. It’s a different game compared to lock.
“I felt like I had an opportunity to grow and it has been so much fun being part of the team and getting more opportunities to start.”
Dixon was among the handful of Stormers regulars who played for Western Province against Griquas in Kimberley, a week after the URC final.
Province face a do-or-die clash against the Sharks in Cape Town, where only a big win will do if they are to progress to the Currie Cup semi-finals.
While Dixon has clocked plenty of minutes this season, he still has enough in the tank to drive Province into the playoffs.
“Although it’s been a long season, I don’t feel like I need rest now,” he said.
“I know our chances are slim, but I’m like, let’s go and make it count. Hopefully, we can get into the playoffs. I know a lot of players feel this way.”
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