A year ago it was generally understood that Wandisile Simelane was in his last season for the DHL Stormers, but towards the end of the 2024/2025 campaign he got a run of games that propelled the momentum that now sees him committed to the Cape team until at least 2028.
Even Stormers coach John Dobson wasn’t optimistic about Simelane, who was then seen as a specialist centre, staying on. When it was announced a few weeks into the off-season that Simelane had been offered and had signed a one year contract extension, it came as a surprise, although the understanding was that he’d be in the Cape for one more season before linking up with a Japanese club.
Those plans have clearly changed, with the Stormers on Wednesday making the announcement that a new extended contract will click in at the end of this season.
It can be seen as an indication both of how Simelane, who moved to the Stormers from the Vodacom Bulls as a swap for Cornell Smit in 2024, has blossomed as a player and how he’s enjoyed himself representing the Cape team.
More to come from magic Wandi 🪄 #inittogether pic.twitter.com/qdEiW24P0p
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) January 21, 2026
“There are plenty of top players in this squad and the overall environment has challenged me while also allowing me to express myself,” said the 27-year-old product of Jeppe High School in Johannesburg.
“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.
In the early part of his career Simelane struggled to live up to the hype that was generated around him when he was arguably the star player of the Golden Lions team at the 2017 Craven Week played at St Stithians, and struggled to establish himself as first choice at the Lions before moving to the Bulls.
There were rumours that Simelane was unhappy at being used as a fullback by Jake White at the Pretoria franchise, so there is some irony in the fact that the has developed into one of the Stormers’ alternative fullbacks to Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse.
He did well in the Stormers last line of defence when the Stormers started their winning run at the start of this season’s Vodacom URC campaign when Gelant was injured and was back in the No 15 jersey again in the most recent Investec Champions Cup game against Leicester Tigers.
Centre is definitely his best position and when there were problems with the Stormers’ midfield defensive system against the Tigers he was shifted to outside centre in place of Suleiman Hartzenberg.
✍️ Wandi Simelane is staying on for more with us.
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) January 21, 2026
💬 '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
Simelane has made notable improvements to his defensive game since moving to the Stormers but it is his attacking suits that he is most known for, such as his devastating step and ability to put defenders on the back foot and he is a threat to opposing defences from anywhere on the field.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said that he is looking forward to seeing Simelane continue to develop his game.
“Wandi’s growth since joining us has been phenomenal. He is a naturally gifted athlete and footballer, but what has impressed us the most is the way he has applied himself to improve all areas of his game,” said Dobson.
“He is surrounded by many talented players in our backline and has made some telling contributions within our environment both on the field and in our preparations. We are looking forward to seeing where he can go from here.”
Simelane’s presence will supplement a growing stock of highly promising young midfielders coming through at the Stormers, with Jonathan Roche showing some good touches in recent games.
Dan du Plessis should be back from injury shortly, while the Stormers captain against Leicester, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, had high praise last week for the abilities of young Marcus Muller, who is just out of school but is training with the Stormers.
Ruhan Nel is the first choice No 13 currently and is considered one of the team leaders but he’s closer to the end of his career now than the start of it and, given that Hartzenberg keeps failing to take the opportunity, Simelane could be in the group that will be competing to replace him when he does retire.