Basson to be Kings X-factor
Expect the Isuzu Southern Kings to be strong upfront among their big forwards and to also pose a threat with their explosive backs when the Guinness Pro14 season kicks off, new signing Bjorn Basson said.
The former Bok wing has joined the Kings from French team Oyonnax and will give coach Deon Davids strong options at fullback and wing.
Basson, who played 11 Tests for the Springboks, is a widely travelled player who has valuable experience of playing in European conditions.
He is expected to make his Pro14 debut for the Kings against Italian outfit Zebre in Parma on Friday night.
“It took a while for me to get here, but I am happy to be in Port Elizabeth.
“This overseas tour with matches against Zebre and the Dragons will be a big challenge, but the guys look like they will be ready. My last game was for Oyonnax in France and I have been off for quite a while.
“But I have been busy and my fitness is still up there. We have got big strong forwards and the guys are fit. The running side of the game looks good as well from what I have seen.
“There are some nice skills in this team and I think we can take them on from the front and the back.”
Basson arrived in PE last Thursday and has been impressed at what he has seen.
“I like the set-up here and everything has been going smoothly and is run very professionally. Now I am looking forward to playing.
“My goal this season is to help the team win and do whatever I can to achieve that. I will take it game by game and try and mentor a few of the young players as well. I prefer playing at fullback, but I will play wherever the coach needs me.”
Basson was selected for the Springbok tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2010 and made his debut against Wales in Cardiff.
Born in King William’s Town, Basson represented the Border U19 side in 2005 and 2006, before moving to Kimberley to join the Griquas.
As a Griquas player, Basson also played Super Rugby for the Cheetahs and he was included in the Free State side in the 2009 Super 14 season, scoring one try in five appearances.
Basson then signed a twoyear contract with the Blue Bulls and made 26 appearances for them. In 2011, Basson was the joint top try-scorer in Super Rugby with 11 tries for the Pretoria side.
In 2017, the flying wing made six appearances in Super Rugby for the Stormers before leaving for Oyonnax.
The Kings flew to Italy on Monday with a 27-man squad that was missing experienced scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius who suffered a foot injury during training. It is expected the Kings will name their team to face Zebre on Thursday.
My goal is to help the team win and do whatever I can to achieve that