Wandisile Simelane’s performance against Exeter Chiefs shows why the Vodacom Bulls should back him as the first-choice outside centre, according to DYLAN JACK.
Simelane crossed the whitewash twice as the Bulls claimed a 39-28 victory in a 10-try thriller at Loftus Versfeld, exacting revenge for a 30-point defeat at Exeter in the second week of the competition.
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Aside from his two tries, the 24-year-old went on the rampage on attack, racking up a massive total of 129 metres from just seven carries.
On the whole, Simelane showed a gamebreaking ability that the Vodacom Bulls have been looking for in a partner for powerhouse Harold Vorster.
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It has been something of a strange start to life in Pretoria for Simelane. When he agreed to move across from Johannesburg, the assumption was that Simelane would slip straight into the No 13 jersey, which he has admitted is his favoured position.
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However, Jake White, who is no stranger to achieving great success when shifting players to new positions, surprisingly played Simelane among the outside backs in his first few games at Loftus Versfeld.
It’s a move that is part of developing Simelane as a utility back and all-rounder, thereby enhancing his chances of staking a claim for Springbok honours. With Lukhanyo Am currently entrenched at outside centre for South Africa, and the reliable Jesse Kriel serving as an effective deputy, the chances are low that Simelane will get into the national team solely as an outside centre.
“I enjoy playing fullback, but my favourite position will still be outside centre, as I’ve said many times,” Simelane said last month when asked about his positional switch. “But I will play wherever the team need me. Rugby is a team sport, and I am willing to help the team out wherever they need me – whether it’s fullback, wing, outside centre
“I do believe it (playing in different positions) could help me achieve higher honours, but I’ve always played fullback and wing at training or at school – I just haven’t done it before at URC or Champions Cup level before. I always knew I could play 15 or wing, and Jake also probably knew that. So, now the entire world is seeing me play 15 on more than one occasion.”
Of course, veterans Lionel Mapoe and Cornal Hendricks both have important roles to play in this marathon season. The Vodacom Bulls have to manage their squad across the Champions Cup, Vodacom United Rugby Champions and the upcoming Currie Cup and Simelane won’t be able to start every game.
With that being said, there can be no doubt that the former Junior Springbok is now primed for a consecutive run of starts at 13. It’s where the Vodacom Bulls can get the best out of him in the present, even if his future may lie among the outside backs.
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