Rassie Erasmus and John Dobson have both moved to reassure Ben-Jason Dixon after the flanker was left out of the Springbok lineup to face the All Blacks in Cape Town. DYLAN JACK reports.
Dixon has enjoyed a breakthrough 2024, earning a first call-up to the Boks on the back of another sensational season for the DHL Stormers.
The utility forward made his Bok debut in the opening Test of the year against Wales at Twickenham, translating his domestic form onto the international scene.
However, Dixon’s first game against the All Blacks at Ellis Park last week did not quite go according to plan, and he was substituted before half time.
Following South Africa’s comeback win, the 26-year-old took to social media, posting that he knows he didn’t have his best game but is determined to bounce back.
Dixon trained with the Boks ahead of Saturday’s rematch with the All Blacks, but was left out of the matchday 23. Instead, he will keep up his game time playing for DHL Western Province in the Currie Cup against Griquas on Friday.
Speaking on Thursday after naming Dixon on the bench, director of rugby Dobson told reporters he has reassured the hard-working forward of his talent.
“He came off before half time, but that might have all been part of a plan. It may not have been performance related,” Dobson said.
“My conversation with BJ was a simple one, ‘Look where you were three months ago and look where you are now. You are a highly-respected Springbok starting against the All Blacks. You’ve won the war. It’s incredible, take it. If you are disappointed, that’s just one battle.’
“I think he gets that. BJ is one of the most honest guys I know. He will come up to me after a session and say, ‘Dobbo that wasn’t your best session or drill.’ So he’s incredibly honest.
“Our conversation with him was around his achievements stratospherically exceeding any expectations, so don’t get bogged down if you feel you’ve let anybody down.”
“It’s quite funny because when they come off, he makes a linebreak or gets an offload,” he added. “He’s probably beating himself up about that. But that’s what you get with a high work rate, high impact player like BJ.”
The good news for Dixon is that the Boks have two Tests left in the Rugby Championship after this weekend, with a trip to Argentina followed by the return leg against Los Pumas in the last round in Nelspruit.
During the Bok team announcement presser in Cape Town, Erasmus said that the tireless Pieter-Steph du Toit will need a break, adding that he has also spoken to Dixon.
“He shouldn’t be hard on himself and I’ve told him, we’ve had a chat about that,” Erasmus said.
“That’s the thing about some Test matches. New Zealand at Ellis Park is difficult. The hype, the crowd, you feel that pressure. It gets to some players.
“I think he’s going to play a lot of Test matches for South Africa. He’s definitely in the mix. He’s the next No 7 flanker that we think can do it. Ben-Jason will probably play against Argentina.”
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
