The Vodacom Bulls have made a trio of local signings to bolster their ranks ahead of the new Vodacom United Rugby Championship season, with the signature of Wandisile Simelane the big name on their acquisitions list.
Simelane, who has been part of the Springbok training group, has struggled under the Emirates Lions coaching structures and decided to move to the Bulls when his contract ended at the end of June.
The 24-year-old former SA under-18 and Junior Springbok has penned down a two-year deal that will see him remain at Loftus Versfeld until 2024.
Simelane is joined in the Bulls off-season acquisition list by two loose forwards - the Cheetahs Mihlali Mosi and the Pumas’ Phumzile Maqondwana while they had already added both former Junior Bok Ruan Vermaak and ex-Lions prop Dylan Smith during the season.
The Springbok winger S’bu Nkosi has also signed for the Bulls.
Simelane played all of his youth rugby between 2011 and 2019 for the Golden Lions Rugby Union before carving a thrilling senior career for the Emirates Lions in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, Vodacom Super Rugby, Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup and Carling Currie Cup between 2018 and this year.
“It has been widely reported that there has been widespread interest for the services of Wandile Simelane from across the globe. That speaks to the talent and value that he has as a player. We are very happy to have added him to our squad,” said Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.
“Wandi’s talent and what he brings to any team needs no explanation – his efforts on the field speak for themselves. We are certain that he will add a different dynamic to our backline and will fit in perfectly to how we want to play. We look forward to seeing what he will do in the blue jersey in the upcoming season and next few years at Loftus. It is also an added bonus that his versatility can see him slot in at fullback, wing and centre.”
The explosive Mosi has been a regular for the Cheetahs this season since first bursting onto the scene at Walter Sisulu University in the Varsity Shield.
Between 2018 and 2019, Mosi also featured for the Border Bulldogs.
Mosi is seen as the natural replacement for Arno Botha, who left the side after the URC and has signed for three years.
“We have been keeping a close eye on Mihlali Mosi and monitoring his steady and remarkable progress. We are really pleased to have managed to recruit him with a three-year contract,” White said.
“Mihlali will be great value with his skill to a talented group of loose-forwards in our arsenal currently. We are very excited to see what he will bring in the new season and over the next three years.”
Maqondwana will arrive at Loftus Versfeld a Currie Cup champion after winning the domestic trophy with the Airlink Pumas last month.
A former Selborne College pupil, he made his mark for the Shimlas in the Varsity Cup, being named in the dream team for the season. In 2018 he was signed by the Sigma Lions before heading to Mbombela to feature for the Airlink Pumas in 2019.
“He is definitely one of the most exciting players in the country at the moment. We have no doubt that he will add to the depth of our squad and make a great contribution, both as a player and a leader in the upcoming season and beyond.”