Wandisile Simelane is riding high on a wave of success and team spirit as he masters his new role as fullback for the Stormers. After swapping jerseys from outside centre, Simelane has sparked the team's flawless start to the season with victories over Leinster and the Ospreys. Now, as the Stormers gear up for a clash against the Scarlets in Wales, Simelane's transition seems nothing short of seamless, thanks to a little help from his friends.
“My teammates have helped me a lot. Warrick [Gelant], Dan [du Plessis] and Ruan [Nel], our coaches – the amount of time and energy spent towards the team comes from a place of us all actually wanting to do well. It sounds very cliché, but when they picked me at 15, the guys around me made it so easy for me to just adapt,” said Simelane, acknowledging the robust support system bolstering his confidence.
"The mood and energy didn’t dip after those first two tries from the Ospreys. We expected that they were going to be tough and we had to keep smashing the wall until it breaks."
The Stormers' head coach, John Dobson, didn't hold back on praise either, commending Simelane for his stellar attitude and team-first mentality. As the Stormers prepare for their upcoming matches against Zebre and Benetton in Italy, Simelane highlights the importance of resetting and focusing on the new challenges ahead. “We’re not going to downplay the fact that starting well was important for us. But having said that, now that we’re going on tour, it’s almost like a new start,” he explained.
The fullback's shift in roles appears to be a golden move, with Simelane not only fitting in but standing out, clinching the Fans’ Man of the Match title in their last game. His ability to remain unflustered by early setbacks against the Ospreys showcases a maturity that's rippling through the squad, hinting at a promising season. As the Stormers continue their campaign, all eyes will be on how this strategic play unfolds, with Simelane at the heart of the action, hungry for more success and ready to take on whatever comes his way.
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Wandisile Simelane is riding high on a wave of success and team spirit as he masters his new role as fullback for the Stormers. After swapping jerseys from outside centre, Simelane has sparked the team's flawless start to the season with victories over Leinster and the Ospreys. Now, as the Stormers gear up for a clash against the Scarlets in Wales, Simelane's transition seems nothing short of seamless, thanks to a little help from his friends.
“My teammates have helped me a lot. Warrick [Gelant], Dan [du Plessis] and Ruan [Nel], our coaches – the amount of time and energy spent towards the team comes from a place of us all actually wanting to do well. It sounds very cliché, but when they picked me at 15, the guys around me made it so easy for me to just adapt,” said Simelane, acknowledging the robust support system bolstering his confidence.
"The mood and energy didn’t dip after those first two tries from the Ospreys. We expected that they were going to be tough and we had to keep smashing the wall until it breaks."
The Stormers' head coach, John Dobson, didn't hold back on praise either, commending Simelane for his stellar attitude and team-first mentality. As the Stormers prepare for their upcoming matches against Zebre and Benetton in Italy, Simelane highlights the importance of resetting and focusing on the new challenges ahead. “We’re not going to downplay the fact that starting well was important for us. But having said that, now that we’re going on tour, it’s almost like a new start,” he explained.
The fullback's shift in roles appears to be a golden move, with Simelane not only fitting in but standing out, clinching the Fans’ Man of the Match title in their last game. His ability to remain unflustered by early setbacks against the Ospreys showcases a maturity that's rippling through the squad, hinting at a promising season. As the Stormers continue their campaign, all eyes will be on how this strategic play unfolds, with Simelane at the heart of the action, hungry for more success and ready to take on whatever comes his way.