Bulls back sizzling Simelane to unlock doors

The Bulls are embracing dynamo Wandisile Simelane’s talent as an all-rounder to bring the best out of their new signing.

It is telling that since Simelane crossed the Jukskei River this season to join the Vodacom Bulls from rivals the Emirates Lions, the 24-year-old has been utilised in the back three and not at his regular outside centre position.

Simelane made his Bulls debut at fullback against his former team in the opening round of the  United Rugby Championship, and was most recently deployed on the left wing against Munster in Round 5.

This is a significant change for a player who has been widely billed as the potential successor to incumbent Springbok No 13 Lukhanyo Am.

However, as Bulls director of rugby Jake White explains, the move is part of a plan to improve Simelane’s Test prospects.

“Wandisile also has aspirations of playing at a higher level,” said White. “Lukhanyo Am is entrenched as a 13 and rightly so, which means the players in and around the South Africa squad are going to have to find ways of making their game better.

“If he can play wing and fullback and centre, he is still young, there is no reason why he cannot develop as a utility player… someone who can double up anywhere.”

The Bulls are also packed for depth in midfield, counting former Emirates Lions pair Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe, as well as veteran Cornal Hendricks, among their options.

“It’s not a case of Simelane playing on the wing for the sake of it. He is a good player and I want to see him in this backline with those players around him.”

Simelane certainly has the talent to make the switch work. A product of Jeppe High School in Johannesburg, he was an equally talented soccer player who played for Soweto giants Moroka Swallows at U15 level.

However, when rugby came calling at high school, Simelane never looked back, representing the Lions at U16 and U18 level, before earning a call-up to the SA U18 team.

It was in 2018 when Simelane shot to global stardom, as he scored six tries for the Junior Springboks at the U20 World Championships.

Now having joined the Vodacom Bulls, Simelane is embracing the opportunity to work under a revered coach to realise his immense potential.

“Coach Jake is widely respected given all that he has achieved as a world-class coach. I have no doubt that there is so much knowledge I can gain from a coach of his stature,” said Simelane.

“I did not even think twice when the opportunity to work under him came about. I can only become a better player.

“Part of my individual goals is to become a Springbok sooner rather than later. Every rugby player aspires to play for their country, it is no different for me.

“I will strive to do my best in the blue jersey and can only hope that it will be enough to open doors for me to take my career a step further.”