Wandisile Simelane has hit his stride at the Stormers, earning a contract extension that underlines just how neatly his game fits the franchise’s fast-flowing DNA.
The table-topping United Rugby Championship outfit has long thrived on electric, instinctive backs who play what’s in front of them. In Simelane, they have an exciting versatile backline option who has the ability to glide through defensive lines like a hot knife through soft turf.
Born in Johannesburg and schooled at Jeppe High, Simelane’s professional journey has been anything but a straight sprint. Stints at the Lions and Bulls offered flashes of promise but little certainty. Now, after swapping Highveld skies for Cape Town sea air, the 27-year-old has finally found firm ground beneath his boots.
“Every athlete experiences ups and downs. I experienced it at the Lions and the Bulls,” said Simelane.
“I’ve found a place where I am comfortable on and off the field. Guys are around me that have helped me and believe in me, so this is home away from home.”
That sense of belonging has translated into consistency, the most valuable currency in elite rugby. Simelane’s ability to slot in seamlessly at centre or fullback, and even cover wing when injuries bite, has turned him into a tactical Swiss Army knife for the Stormers’ coaching staff.
“My versatility has helped my growth a lot,” he admitted.
“The way you see the game at fullback and the way you see the game at centre is almost like two completely different sports.”
Learning alongside elite playmakers such as Damian Willemse and Warrick Gelant has sharpened his rugby intellect, allowing him to switch perspectives mid-match. Simelane can operate as a backfield general to midfield strike runner, without missing a beat.
Blessed with a sidestep sharp enough to leave defenders grasping at air, Simelane admits he has a favourite jersey, even if he relishes the challenges of multiple roles.
“Preferred will always be 13, but I don’t mind playing fullback,” he said with a grin.
“I do enjoy more space from fullback, but there is more to it than that. Lots of hard work and technicalities need to be done before you see the wonderful tries. Space is good, but I still prefer 13.”
The new deal, which runs until at least 2028, is another brick laid in the Stormers’ long-term blueprint as Project 2029 gathers momentum. For Simelane, the decision to re-sign was shaped less by numbers and more by environment.
✍️ Wandi Simelane is staying on for more with us.
💬 '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'
Full story https://t.co/SvtgvqJj2e#inittogether pic.twitter.com/5JkepMjk1k
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) January 21, 2026
“There are so many factors,” he explained.
“We have brilliant coaches and players around us, it’s been a wonderful place for me to grow as a player, and I’m just looking forward to the next couple of years in Cape Town.”
Next up is a familiar foe in the Sharks, a side Simelane once trained with but never represented in a competitive fixture. With two URC tries already this season, he’ll be keen to add more polish to his growing highlight reel and prove once again that his career arc is finally bending in the right direction.
For the Stormers, securing Simelane’s services adds to their already impressive depth when it comes to players with X-factor. In a backline built on speed, skill and daring, he has become a crucial squad member and trusted player in the playbook.
