{{short description|South African rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use South African English|date=May 2012}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Bjorn Basson | image = Bjorn Basson (cropped).jpg | caption = Basson playing for the Vodacom Bulls during a match against the Brumbies on July 27, 2013 | fullname = Bjorn Alberic Basson | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|02|11|df=y}} | birth_place = [[King William's Town]], South Africa | death_date = | death_place = | height = {{height|m=1.85}} | weight = {{convert|87|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | nickname = | occupation = | school = [[Dale College Boys' High School|Dale College]] | university = | relatives = Logan Basson (brother), <br/> Cody Basson (brother) | position = [[Wing (rugby union)|Wing]], [[Full-back (rugby union)|Full-back]] | currentclub = [[San Diego Legion]] / {{Rut|Griquas}} | youthyears1 = 2005–2006 | youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}} | youthyears2 = 2007 | youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Griquas}} | years1 = 2008–2010 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Griquas}} | apps1 = 56 | points1 = 235 | years2 = 2009–2010 | clubs2 = {{Rut|Cheetahs}} | apps2 = 9 | points2 = 30 | years3 = 2011–2016 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Bulls}} | apps3 = 86 | points3 = 145 | years4 = 2011–2016 | clubs4 = {{Rut|Blue Bulls}} | apps4 = 26 | points4 = 105 | years5 = 2015–2016 | clubs5 = [[Honda Heat]] | apps5 = 6 | points5 = 10 | years6 = 2016 | clubs6 = {{Rut|Blue Bulls XV}} | apps6 = 1 | points6 = 0 | years7 = 2017 | clubs7 = {{Rut|Stormers}} | apps7 = 6 | points7 = 15 | years8 = 2017 | clubs8 = {{Rut|Western Province}} | apps8 = 6 | points8 = 20 | years9 = 2017–2018 | clubs9 = {{Rut|Oyonnax}} | apps9 = 6 | points9 = 10 | years10 = 2018–2019 | clubs10 = {{Rut|Southern Kings}} | apps10 = 17 | points10 = 40 | years11 = 2019– | clubs11 = {{Rut|Griquas}} | apps11 = 4 | points11 = 0 | years12 = 2019–2020 | clubs12 = [[Yenisey-STM Krasnoyarsk|Enisei-STM]] | apps12 = 6 | points12 = 15 | years13 = 2021– | clubs13 = [[San Diego Legion]] | apps13 = 0 | points13 = 0 | repyears1 = 2008–2009 | repteam1 = [[Emerging Springboks]] | repcaps1 = 4 | reppoints1 = 5 | repyears2 = 2009 | repteam2 = [[Highveld XV]] | repcaps2 = 1 | reppoints2 = 0 | repyears3 = 2010–2013 | repteam3 = {{nrut|South Africa}} | repcaps3 = 11 | reppoints3 = 15 | clubupdate = 3 March 2021 | repupdate = 18 April 2018 }}
'''Bjorn Alberic Basson''' (born 11 February 1987) is a South African professional [[rugby union]] player<ref name="SARU Player Profile Bjorn Basson">{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=38377 | name=Bjorn Basson | date=29 May 2016}}</ref> playing as a wing or full-back for the [[San Diego Legion]] of [[Major League Rugby]] (MLR).
He previously played for [[Yenisey-STM Krasnoyarsk|Enisei-STM]] in the [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]].
==Professional career==
===Griquas and Cheetahs===
After playing for the {{Rut|Border U19}} side in 2005 and 2006, he then moved to [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]] to join {{Rut|Griquas}}. He made his debut in the [[2008 Vodacom Cup]] competition, starting the match against former side {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}} in [[East London, Eastern Cape|East London]] and scoring a try to help Griquas to a 15–5 win.<ref name="Border 5-15 Wildeklawer Griquas">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=15179 | homeid=6608 | awayid=6595 | leagueid=618 | hometeam=Border | homescore=5 | awayscore=15 | awayteam=Wildeklawer Griquas | matchdate=22 February 2008 | date=29 June 2016}}</ref> He played in eight matches, scoring five tries.<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2008 Vodacom Cup">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=618 | comp=2008 Vodacom Cup | date=5 May 2016}}</ref> His first-ever [[Currie Cup]] season in [[2008 Currie Cup Premier Division|2008]] saw him score a further six tries in eleven matches.<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2008 ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=631 | comp=2008 ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div | date=5 May 2016}}</ref>
As a Griquas player, he could also play [[Super Rugby]] for the {{Rut|Cheetahs}}. He was included in the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} in the [[2009 Super 14 season]], scoring one try in five appearances. He also scored one try in his three appearances for {{Rut|Griquas}} in the [[2009 Vodacom Cup]]. He started twelve matches for {{Rut|Griquas}} in the [[2009 Currie Cup Premier Division]], as well as one substitute appearance and scored six tries to once again feature in the top ten try scorers list.<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2009 ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=733 | comp=2009 ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division | date=5 May 2016}}</ref>
2010 was Basson's most prolific season of all. He scored five tries in just four starts for the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} in the [[2010 Super 14 season]], six tries in his seven matches in the [[2010 Vodacom Cup]] for {{Rut|Griquas}}, finishing joint third overall try scorer in the competition.<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2010 Vodacom Cup">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=765 | comp=2010 Vodacom Cup | date=5 May 2016}}</ref> and two tries in a [[2010 Currie Cup Premier Division#Compulsory Friendlies|compulsory friendly]] match against {{Rut|SWD Eagles}} prior to the [[2010 Currie Cup Premier Division]] season.<ref name="SWD 12-50 GWK Griquas">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=18663 | homeid=7994 | awayid=7995 | leagueid=766 | hometeam=SWD | homescore=12 | awayscore=50 | awayteam=GWK Griquas | matchdate=2 July 2010 | date=29 June 2016}}</ref>
He then broke the record for the most number of tries scored in a single [[Currie Cup]] season, scoring no less than 21 for Griquas in the [[2010 Currie Cup Premier Division]].<ref name="Basson breaks record">{{cite web | url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/rugby/2010/10/09/basson-breaks-record | title=Basson breaks record | work=Times Live | date=9 October 2010 | access-date=12 August 2013}}</ref>
===Bulls===
Basson signed a two-year contract with the Blue Bulls Company on 19 September 2010. He later extended his contract, signing on until October 2016.<ref name="Basson to keep running with the Bulls">{{cite press release | url=http://www.bluebulls.co.za/article.aspx?artid=2218114 | title=Basson to keep running with the Bulls | publisher=Bulls | date=27 November 2013 | access-date=27 November 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225851/http://www.bluebulls.co.za/article.aspx?artid=2218114 | archive-date=2 December 2013 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In 2011, Basson was the joint top try scorer in the [[2011 Super Rugby season]] with eleven tries for the {{Rut|Bulls}}, along with [[Sean Maitland]] and [[Sarel Pretorius]].<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2011 Vodacom Super Rugby">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=795 | comp=2011 Vodacom Super Rugby | date=5 May 2016}}</ref>
===Stormers===
{{empty section|date=November 2017}}
===Oyonnax===
Basson joined French [[Top 14]] side {{Rut|Oyonnax}} in December 2017, signing as a [[medical joker]] for the injured [[Matt Hopper]].<ref name="Björn Basson rejoint l’US Oyonnax Rugby comme joker médical de Matthew Hopper">{{cite press release | url=http://www.usorugby.com/bjorn-basson-rejoint-lus-oyonnax-rugby-comme-joker-medical-de-matthew-hopper | title=Björn Basson rejoint l'US Oyonnax Rugby comme joker médical de Matthew Hopper | publisher=USO Rugby | date=1 December 2017 | access-date=4 December 2017 | language=fr | archive-date=4 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204010913/http://www.usorugby.com/bjorn-basson-rejoint-lus-oyonnax-rugby-comme-joker-medical-de-matthew-hopper | url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Southern Kings===
Basson returned to South Africa in 2018 to join the {{Rut|Southern Kings}} ahead of the [[2018–19 Pro14]].<ref name="Kings get injection of firepower">{{cite news | url=https://www.heraldlive.co.za/sport/2018-08-20-kings-get-injection-of-firepower | title=Kings get injection of firepower | work=Herald Live | date=20 August 2018 | access-date=20 August 2018}}</ref>
==National team==
=== Emerging Springboks ===
In 2008, Basson was chosen to represent the [[Emerging Springboks]] team, which went on to win the [[2008 IRB Nations Cup]] in [[Romania]].<ref name="SA Rugby Squad – Emerging South Africa : 2008 IRB Nations Cup">{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=7021 | team=Emerging South Africa | compid=643 | comp=2008 IRB Nations Cup | access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref>
During the [[2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa]], he twice played against the [[British & Irish Lions|Lions]]; once for the [[Highveld XV|Royal XV]]<ref name="Royal XV 25-37 British & Irish Lions">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=16146 | homeid=7025 | awayid=7033 | leagueid=644 | hometeam=Royal XV | homescore=25 | awayscore=37 | awayteam=British & Irish Lions | matchdate=30 May 2009 | date=29 June 2016}}</ref> and again for the [[Emerging Springboks]].<ref name="Emerging Springboks 13-13 British & Irish Lions">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=16153 | homeid=7032 | awayid=7033 | leagueid=644 | hometeam=Emerging Springboks | homescore=13 | awayscore=13 | awayteam=British & Irish Lions | matchdate=23 June 2009 | date=29 June 2016}}</ref>
=== South African national team ===
Basson was selected for the [[Springboks]] tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2010. He made his test debut on 5 June 2010 against Wales in [[Cardiff]].<ref name="Wales 31-34 South Africa">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=19064 | homeid=8078 | awayid=8076 | leagueid=773 | hometeam=Wales | homescore=31 | awayscore=34 | awayteam=South Africa | matchdate=5 June 2010 | date=5 July 2016}}</ref>
On 15 November 2010 he and Chiliboy Ralepelle were suspended and sent home from the Northern Hemisphere tour after testing positive for a banned substance after the game against Ireland on 6 November 2010. Both players tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a "non-specified stimulant" on the prohibited substances list of [[World Anti-Doping Agency|WADA]].<ref name="South Africa pair Ralepelle and Basson fail drug tests">{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9190833.stm | title=South Africa pair Ralepelle and Basson fail drug tests | publisher=BBC Sport | date=15 November 2010 | access-date=15 November 2010}}</ref>
Basson played in two tests during the 2012 mid-year series for the Springboks: their 36–27 win over England<ref name="South Africa 36-27 England">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103571 | homeid=10871 | awayid=10881 | leagueid=1141 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=36 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=England | matchdate=16 June 2012 | date=29 June 2016}}</ref> and their 14–14 draw with England.<ref name="South Africa 14-14 England">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103581 | homeid=10871 | awayid=10881 | leagueid=1141 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=14 | awayscore=14 | awayteam=England | matchdate=23 June 2012 | date=29 June 2016}}</ref>
==Honours== * 2010 – Award: Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Player of the Year
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=38377 | name=Bjorn Basson | date=30 May 2016}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716032105/http://www.thebulls.co.za/article.aspx?id=372099 From thebulls.co.za] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110723010557/http://www.sabcnews.co.za/portal/site/SABCNews/menuitem.5c4f8fe7ee929f602ea12ea1674daeb9/?vgnextoid=4068013a06c7b210VgnVCM10000077d4ea9bRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&channelPath=home From sabcnews.co.za] * [http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_12465.html itsrugby.co.uk profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Basson, Bjorn}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1987 births]] [[Category:South African rugby union players]] [[Category:South Africa international rugby union players]] [[Category:Rugby union players from Qonce]] [[Category:Bulls (rugby union) players]] [[Category:Cheetahs (rugby union) players]] [[Category:Griquas (rugby union) players]] [[Category:Rugby union wings]] [[Category:Mie Honda Heat players]] [[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in Japan]] [[Category:Southern Kings players]] [[Category:21st-century South African sportsmen]] [[Category:Stormers players]] [[Category:Oyonnax Rugby players]] [[Category:Yenisey-STM Krasnoyarsk players]] [[Category:San Diego Legion players]] [[Category:Alumni of Dale College Boys' High School]] [[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in France]] [[Category:Expatriate rugby union players in Russia]] [[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in the United States]]