The Wandisile Simelane story: From The Den to the mountain
Wandisile Simelane has had a storied career already, but there are a few items on his ‘bucket list’ he still wants to tick off.
This week, Simelane, 27, signed a contract extension that will see him play for the Stormers until at least 2028.
The fleet-footed midfielder, who can also cover at fullback when required, started his rugby journey at Jeppe High School for boys.
Simelane, who is known as Wandi (by his Stormers teammates), Wii (from his school days at Jeppe) and Mshishi (a reference to his impressive dribbling skills displayed while at the Bulls), once revealed how he went against his family’s wishes to pursue rugby rather than soccer.
Simelane, while kicking a ball around at Dalmondeor Primary, teacher Lenus Swanepoel asked him if he wanted to join the Under-11 rugby team.
At the time, he was set to have a trial at Kaizer Chiefs.
Then, Pieter van Heerden became his mentor at Dalmondeor Primary and also organised a sports bursary for the youngster to further his schooling at Jeppe High.
The rest, as they say, is history.
He represented the Lions at the Under-13 and Under-18 Craven Week tournaments, then represented South Africa at the Under-18 and Under-20 level, before the senior contracts came.
He played for the Lions from 2018 to 2022, then moved to the Bulls for a couple of years (2022 to 2024) and finally found his way to Cape Town.
* (WATCH as Stormers utility back Wandisile Simelane talks about his journey from a schoolboy in Johannesburg to a Cape Town stalwart…..)
“Every athlete goes through ups-and-downs,” he told @JanDKrugby, adding: “I went through that at the Lions, at the Bulls and here [at the Stormers].
“I have now found a place where I am comfortable on and off the field.
“I have coaches and players around me that help me and really believe in me.
“I have found my home, away from home, here in Cape Town.
“It’s weird to say for a Jo’burgh boy, but yes [this is now my home].”
He admitted the Springbok dream is still there, having had a taste of the international stage at the age-group level.
“If your goal, as a South African, is not to represent your country, you are probably in the wrong sport.
“My short-term goal is definitely to win the URC, not just to compete but to win.”
Having to travel to France for a Champions Cup Round of 16 face-off with three-time champions Toulon is indeed a tall order.
However, the Stormers will give it a full go when the European play-offs come around in April.
While centre remains his preferred position, he has featured at fullback in several games for the Stormers.
“The way you see the game at fullback and the way you see it at No.13 is two different sports,” the affable utility back said.
“The guys around me [at the Stormers] help me a lot, guys like [Springboks] Damian [Willemse] and Warrick Gelant.
“I’m just grateful to grow my game in both positions.”
He quipped that he once mentioned flyhalf as a ‘joke’, but they can “throw me in there”.
While the space at fullback is great, he is happy to do the hard yards in the midfield to create for his teammates, who can amuse and delight the crowds with fancy tries.
“There are a lot of technicalities that have to be taken care of before you see the sunshine tries.”
Outside centre is also key to the defensive structures out wide, a role Simelane enjoys.
Simelane said that his focus is on how he can best contribute to the team going forward.
“There are plenty of top players in this squad and the overall environment has challenged me while also allowing me to express myself.
“I’ve got no doubt that this is the best place for me and I just want to do everything I can to help the club succeed,” he added.
@JanDKrugby
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