EXCLUSIVE: Wandisile Simelane in Durban hoping to seal Sharks loan deal

Bulls utility back Wandisile Simelane might be on his way out of Loftus sooner than expected, with news reaching The South African News.

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Simelane has struggled for game time since joining the Bulls last year, from the Lions with those struggles continuing to his second year at the Pretoria outfit. 

Simelane joined the Bulls from the Lions

The former SA U20 star joined the Bulls under a great deal of optimism, having been one of the key players to emerge from an ever improving Lions side. It was, perhaps a bit of a surprise that Simelane ended up at Loftus, with talk dominating the rumour columns in the previous years, linking him to a move to both the Stormers and the Sharks.

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Just after Covid-19 hit, the rumours intensified, on a potential move to the Stormers for Simelane, but it was believed that a clause in his Lions contract prevented him from making the move to the Western Cape. After that, it was believed to be the Sharks that were most aggressive in their pursuit of the fleet footed wizard. Perhaps stylistically, both of those teams were a better fit for the player, but it would be the Bulls who would end up being the chosen destination for the next move of his career. 

Now edging closer to Sharks move?

Now, as fate has it, it now seems as if Simelane might end up getting his move to the Sharks after all. This comes after this publication was reliably informed that the outside centre was spotted in Durban, straight after returning to South Africa, from the Bulls tour to Europe in the early rounds of the United Rugby Championship. He has featured only twice this season, being elevated to start on the wing after Stravino Jacobs pulled out of the Bulls season opener against the Scarletts, before coming off the bench against Zebre in his sole appearance on tour. 

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A further source spoke briefly with the publication and confirmed that Simelane’s proposed move to the Sharks from the Bulls is well in motion. 

Short-term deal on the cards?

“It is true, but from what I was told, the move is not a done deal yet. He is, indeed, in Durban and from what I am hearing, they’re looking to sort out something short term with him at the Sharks, with the hopes of it becoming permanent. It has everything to do with game time” confirmed the source. 

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That then adds more weight to the information provided to this website earlier, as Simelane is only 1 and half years into his two-year deal at the Bulls. He could be loaned out to the Sharks for the remainder of his deal at the Bulls and end up signing for the Durban outfit for free ahead of the next URC season. A similar situation was a loan move for Hacjivah Dayimani from the Lions to Western Province, which eventually became a permanent deal at the end of the 2021 season, as he joined the Stormers on a free. 

It remains to be seen how this particular move will be facilitated by all parties.