‘I ALMOST FELL OFF MY CHAIR’

JUST four games into his return to competitive rugby, Stormers loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon wysed he almost fell off his chair when he got the call-up for the Springboks’ November tour to Europe.

Dixon has had a bit of a roller-coaster 16 months, after making his Bok debut in June last year against Wales at Twickenham.

That debut saw the Stormers yster flank go on to get capped five more times before returning to his Kaapse span for the United Rugby Championship.

Only for a balls-up over his contract to see the flank’s season cut short, while injuries also saw him miss out on Bok selection at the start of the 2025 Test season.

And of itching to get back innie mix and wear the green and gold again, Dixon told the Daily Voice: “I was out with a wrist injury and I needed to have an operation, and according to the doctor it would have taken me four to six months before I could play again.

“Luckily, that happened a bit quicker than expected and by the time the Boks’ season started, I felt ready to play again.

“So, I had a bit of miere innie broek to once again be part of the Bok setup.”

However, Dixon has no quarrels about missing out and said of Bok selectors making the right decision to not pick him: “To be honest, during the last URC campaign I did not have the best of form.

“That time away from the game was actually lekker, because it gave me a lot of time to go and work on a few things, you know. Like my physicality, gymming the legs a bit and so on to get back to that level.”

Of being back in the Bok mix, Dixon added: “I am very excited to be back in the mix at that level, but I must admit that it came as a surprise when I got the call-up.”