Ben-Jason Dixon: From third team at high school to Springboks

The flanker earned his first Springbok cap off the bench against Wales in London in June, helping the World Champions kick off their season in style with a 41-13 victory.

While he missed out on selection for the brutal Ireland series, Dixon got his first start on the No.7 jersey against Portugal, where he scored his debut try.

While Dixon has become a mainstay of the Stormers outfit in recent seasons, it hasn't always been top-flight rugby for the utility forward.

"I was in the third team in Grade 11," the Paul Roos graduate told Supersport.

"I was sad about it, but I was enjoying my rugby in the third team. I wanted to make the first team because they went to Japan that year, but I didn't make it.

"The next year, it went well for me and I was in the first team. I performed well in those tournaments where the scouts see you so I made the Western Province and SA Schools teams by the grace of God.

"If there were bigger locks back then, I wouldn't have made it. I was a 93kg lock playing with Salmaan Moerat in the SA Schools team! I'm always trying to pick up weight!"

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