Simelane Relishes Sharks Test As Stormers Aim To Reassert Defensive Authority

Wandisile Simelane insists that he is looking forward to coming up against a Sharks side brimming with Springbok talent and is ready to rise to the challenge and put his improved defensive game to the test.

Simelane, who recently signed a contract extension with the Stormers that will see him remain in Cape Town until at least 2028, has found his footing in the Mother City after joining the club in early 2024.

Having established himself as more than a squad player this season, Simelane has started nine of the eleven games he has featured in for the Stormers across all competitions – completing the full 80 minutes on seven occasions and has two tries to show for it – one against Ospreys and another against the Lions – both in the United Rugby Championship.

With the tantalising prospect of coming up against key Springbok players such as Andre Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker in midfield, Simelane is neither fazed nor daunted by the prospect, instead opting to focus on his own strengths and abilities.

“We’re at the point in the season, regardless of who they pick and where they pick them, we look at ourselves to build every week. It’s always been a matter of what we need to do better every week,” Simelane said.

Simelane has cited making the Springbok training squad as his career highlight to date and was quick to remind everyone that, like Esterhuizen and Hooker, the goal of representing the Springboks is firmly in his sights. 

“If your goal as a South African is not to represent your country, you’re probably playing the wrong sport. It’s my goal to represent my country one day, and in the short term, it’s to win the URC.”

Confessing the number 13 jersey as his favourite position, Simelane paid tribute to defence coach Norman Laker for the improvement to his defensive game.

“Norman Laker prides himself on his defence – he is in your head, and we’ve worked hard at my defence. I am comfortable enough to defend at 13,” said Simelane.

“Much more goes into our defensive planning than just tackling. At 13, there are technicalities of how we want to defend, like where we want to trap guys, so we’ve been doing the small technical things well as a side,” he added.

It is because of this pride in their defensive ability that the Stormers have been hurt by their defensive efforts in the past two fixtures. 

Despite conceding 13 tries in the last two games – nine in the rout against Harlequins in the Investec Champions Cup and four against Leicester Tigers last weekend in the URC – the Stormers still boast the best defensive record in the URC and, according to Simelane, have no intention of surrendering that mantle.  

“We’ll fix that issue – we’re still the top defensive side in the URC. We’d like to keep that stat. We’re disappointed as a squad, and it bugs us, but we’ll fix it from this weekend on.”

As both teams gear up for a crucial encounter, the Stormers will want to continue their undefeated record in this year’s competition, which includes wins in their previous two derbies against the Lions and the Bulls. 

The midfield sensation is prepared for the typical physical onslaught but has faith in the skill and artistry of his teammates. 

“South African derbies are always physical, so we are prepared mentally for a physical game. We don’t expect to create space. We have guys who are magic in our team so that will come naturally if the space is there.”