Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani says Ben-Jason Dixon is the kind of player the Bok selectors want, as the DHL Stormers star gears up to make his Test debut on Saturday.
Dixon is set to feature for the world champion Springboks as one of four uncapped players in the matchday 23 to face Wales at Twickenham.
Winger Edwill van der Merwe and flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse will start the Boks’ first outing since winning the World Cup in October.
Loose forward Dixon and Stormers teammate, utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, have been selected on the bench.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Netwerk24, Hlungwani described Dixon as a “typical South African blindside flanker” in the mould of Juan Smith and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
“Check out the best blindside flankers who have played for South Africa. You think of Juan Smith, a tall player who is adept in the lines, as is Pieter-Steph du Toit. BJ has those physical dimensions, the performance and those qualities,” Hlungwani told Netwerk24.
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“His tackling technique is also some of the best I’ve seen in a long time. In that respect I think he is the kind of player the Springbok selectors are looking for.
“He can outsmart an opponent and stop him in his tracks. Along with that, he has a very high performance.”
Despite comparisons with former Stormers teammate Hacjivah Dayimani, who is known for his attacking skills, Hlungwani emphasised Dixon’s suitability for the Boks, and also sees potential for the 26-year-old to contribute more offensively.
“You see Hacjivah more on the attack, but that may not be what the Bok selectors are looking for. BJ is probably the best at it,” he said. “He never disappears. Regardless of whether it’s an open or fixed game, he is always prominent.
“He does a good job in attack. The loose forwards around him must complement him. Hacjivah and Evan Roos, who played with him at the Stormers, are both prominent ball carriers.
“With Hacjivah having left us, it may be that BJ will also have to fulfill a more important attacking role going forward.”
Photo: @THESTORMERS/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
