White ready to turn Simelane into the ultimate utility player
SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White loves players who can perform more than one role on the field and Wandisile Simelane is his next big project.
The 24-year-old, who joined the Bulls from the Lions, was primarily used as a centre during his time in Johannesburg, but he is yet to start there for the Bulls.
White played him at fullback at the start of this season and now he will wear the No.11 jersey against Munster in Limerick on Saturday.
“We have lots and lots of centres in Harold [Vorster], Lionel [Mapoe], Cornal [Hendricks], David Kriel and Chris Smit,” said White.
“So, it’s not a case of Simelane just going to the wing for the sake of going to the wing,
“I think he is a good rugby player and I would like to see him in this backline with those kinds of players around him.
“He also has aspirations of playing at a higher level and with Lukhanyo Am basically entrenched as a No.13, players around South Africa will have to find different ways of improving their game.
“He [Simelane] can play wing, centre and fullback and if he can develop as a player then there is no reason why he can’t become a utility player that can double up anywhere.”
The story continues below…
Ready for War 🐃#TrueToTheBlue @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/pMIRXVceko
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 14, 2022
Back row change
Meanwhile, there was also a notable change in the Bulls’ back row with WJ Steenkamp taking over the No.7 jersey from Marco van Staden.
“I probably could have moved Elrigh to the No.7 jersey and put WJ at No.8 and it could happen within the game,” White explained.
“For WJ this is a good chance for him in that combination.
“I am keen to see how he plays with Marcell [Coetzee] and Elrigh and then we got Marco on the bench. It will be interesting to see how the four of them interact and combine.
“In Munster’s back row you got [Gavin] Coombes and you got [Peter] O’Mahony and then you got [Jack] O’Donoghue and they are very good players so I’ve got no doubt that the four guys that we have in our back row are going to have their hands full.”
@rugby365com
