'He'll definitely be involved': Stormers' new signing ready for derby action
SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson says his squad numbers are looking good as they enter a crucial period of matches over the next few weeks.
The Capetonians resume their United Rugby Championship duties with an intriguing match against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
After a friendly against Griquas next week, they will then head to Pretoria for another North-South derby against the Bulls on March 2.
One player Stormers fans will be keen to see on the field is centre Wandisile Simelane.
He joined the Stormers from the Bulls in early January but has yet to feature for the Capetonians in competitive rugby.
The Stormers kept themselves busy over the last few weeks with friendlies against Varsity Cup opposition and Dobson has been impressed with what he has seen from his new signing.
“He has been outstanding. We are so excited by him,” said Dobson on Simelane, who scored three tries against the Maties this past weekend.
“There is so much more to him than we realise.
“We knew about his step, but his workrate, the way he gets off the ground, his support lines, his second touches, his backstory, his personality and his desperation to become a Springbok. All of that.
“He is someone we want to keep here for a while.
“We are really thrilled with him. He will definitely be involved over the next couple of weeks.”
The Stormers will be without Damian Willemse, Deon Fourie and Manie Libbok until the end of February due to SA Rugby’s compulsory rest period, but Dobson’s squad has been bolstered with some returning players.
That includes Springbok prop Frans Malherbe.
“We are in a nice position with our injury roster,” said the Stormers coach.
“Frans [Malherbe] is training properly. We will still decide what our plans are with him, but he is back.
“Salmaan [Moerat], Evan Roos, Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] are all fully fit and it is really useful having those guys back.
“A guy like Wandisile wasn’t injured but it was too soon to play him. He is a guy who has played those two friendlies, so he is now eligible for selection.
“It’s a nice boost of resources during resting time.”
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