Springboks loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon and the Stormers could part ways if a contractual dispute between the two parties is not resolved, according to South African media reports.

The 27-year-old made his international debut for South Africa in their victory over Wales at Twickenham last year and eventually represented the Springboks in five Tests.

The blindside flanker is currently out of action with a wrist injury and Stormers director of rugby John Dobson revealed last week that Dixon is set to be sidelined for several months.

Set to miss upcoming Springboks matches

That means he is set to miss the Springboks‘ clash with the Barbarians at the end of June as well as their July Tests against Italy and Georgia.

However, according to a News24 report, Dixon, who still has two years left on his Stormers contract at the end of this season, could leave the Cape Town-based outfit due to a disagreement over the interpretation of the wording of a release clause in his current deal.

The exact wording regarding the exit clause in Dixon’s contract is still unknown as Dobson declined to comment on the matter while Dixon’s agent Dane Galley did not respond to a query by text from News24.

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According to the publication, the matter will head to arbitration if the opposing parties do not come to an amicable solution.

And it appears that Dixon’s camp have no intention of backing down which means he could be leaving the Stormers if the arbitrator rules in his favour.

Stormers could lose another loose forward

That means the Stormers could lose another back-row stalwart after the likes of Hacjivah Dayimani, Nama Xaba and Junior Pokomela left the men from the Cape at the end of last season while Willie Engelbrecht is set to rejoin his former team, Currie Cup outfit the Pumas, at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Stormers currently have an exciting loose trio with Springboks number eight Evan Roos packing down at number eight while the hard grafting Marcel Theunissen and former SA U20 tearaway Paul de Villiers are the starting flankers.

However, they have little back-row depth and although Louw Nel has great potential he is inexperienced having made just six appearances for the Stormers to date.

While Theunissen and De Villiers have done well as the Stormers’ starting flankers in recent weeks, Dixon’s presence has been missed as he very different in his approach to the aforementioned duo as he has a hard edge to his game with his strong ball carries, excellent defensive and lineout work among his strengths.

READ MORE: Springboks fly-half edging closer to South Africa exit – report

Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/springboks-rookie-and-stormers-at-loggerheads-over-contractual-dispute-report