Rassie eases BJ's fears

09/05/2024 09:57 AM

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 to the Springboks on the back of another sensational season with the DHL Stormers.

The utility forward made his Springbok debut in the opening Test of the year against Wales at Twickenham and has translated his domestic form onto the international scene.

However, Dixon’s first-ever game against the All Blacks did not quite go according to plan, as he was substituted before half time.

Following the Springboks’ 31-27 comeback victory, 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 Springboks ahead of the rematch with the All Blacks in Cape Town, but was left out of the matchday-23. Instead, he will keep up his gametime by playing for DHL Western Province in the final-round Currie Cup match against Griquas in Kimberley.

Speaking after naming Dixon on WP’s bench, director of rugby Dobson said 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’s probably beating himself up about that. But that’s what you get with a high-workrate, high-impact player like BJ.”

The good news for Dixon is that the Springboks still have two Test matches in the Rugby Championship, with a tough trip to Argentina followed by a clash with Los Pumas in the final round in Nelspruit.

During the Bok team announcement press conference in Cape Town, Erasmus said that at some stage 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

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