Dixon joins Bok discard at Sharks
The Sharks have recalled a retired hooker and named a Springbok discard in their team to face the Free State Cheetahs in a Currie Cup match in Durban on Saturday.
One-time Springbok Pieter Dixon has been offered a short-term contract with the Durban outfit, following the injury of Bismarck du Plessis for the rest of the season and Craig Burden's subsequent call-up to the Boks.
The 34-year-old Dixon, who called time on his career after a very successful stint at Bath in England, had settled in KwaZulu-Natal and was lured out of retirement to help out the union where he was schooled and started his career as a junior.
Dixon represented the Sharks at Vodacom Cup level, turning out for the Wildebeest and the South African Under-21 team moved to Cape Town to play for Western Province and the Stormers.
He was called up to the Bok squad for a midweek match on the year-end tour of Argentina, Ireland, Wales and England in 2000 – ironically also after injuries depleted the team.
He will bring a wealth of experience to a young Sharks front row decimated by Bok call-ups and injuries – with four players are unavailable to the Durban outfit.
Monde Hadebe, who still represented the Sharks at Under-21 level last year, will start against the Cheetahs on Saturday and Dixon will be on the bench.
"I am thrilled to complete a full circle in a wonderfully enjoyable career, having played all my junior rugby in KwaZulu-Natal and now the opportunity to fulfil a dream of actually playing for the Sharks," Dixon said.
"I hope that I am able to be a positive force for the side, as a player and someone who will hopefully be able to assist the youngsters in their own development."
Jean Deysel will retain the captaincy, despite the return of Super Rugby captain Keegan Daniel – who has been axed from the Bok squad.
Daniel also brings with him significant experience, something will be vital against a Cheetahs team in good form.
Jacques Botes moves from No.8 to flank to accommodate Daniel.
Further good news is the return from injury of centre Meyer Bosman, who is back after missing last week's game against the Bulls.
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane , 13 Paul Jordaan , 12 Meyer Bosman , 11 S'bura Sithole, 10 Riaan Viljoen, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel (captain), 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Julian Redelinghuys, 18 Jandré Marais, 19 Francois Kleinhans, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Marius Joubert, 22 Rosko Specman.
Date: Saturday, September 1
Venue: King's Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Reuben Rossouw
