White: Wandi winging it to fly into Bok squad

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Jake White has explained why Wandisile Simelane has been utilised among the outside backs in the early stages of his career with the Vodacom Bulls. DYLAN JACK reports.

Simelane will wear the No 11 jersey when the Vodacom Bulls travel to Limerick to take on Irish side Munster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday night.

TEAM: Wandisile out wide for the Bulls, Goosen back

The 24-year-old, who joined from the Lions, has yet to start at outside centre since trading Johannesburg for Pretoria, having his debut for the Vodacom Bulls at fullback.

However, during a press conference on Friday, White explained that there is method to how the Vodacom Bulls are managing the former Junior Springbok.

“We have lots and lots of centres in Harold, Lionel, Cornal, David Kriel, Chris Smit. So it’s not a case of Simelane playing on the wing for the sake of it,” said White. “He is a good player and I want to see him in this backline, with those players around him.

“Wandisile also has aspirations of playing at a higher level. Lukhanyo Am is entrenched as a 13 and rightly so,  which means the players in and around the South Africa squad are going to have to find ways of making their game better.

“If Simelane can play wing and fullback and centre, he is still young, there is no reason why he cannot develop as a utility player. Someone who can double up anywhere.”

PREDICTIONS: Mixed bag for Bulls, Lions

The Vodacom Bulls have also welcomed back Johan Goosen at flyhalf, in a fresh halfback pair with Embrose Papier, who replaces the in-form Zak Burger.

“Embrose and Goose pick themselves, two Springboks,” said White. “As a combination, they are both good rugby players so I want to see how that grows. Both of them are trying to get back into the national setup and together they could be a good combination.”

On the back of a disappointing performance in a loss to Glasgow, the Vodacom Bulls will look to bounce back against a Munster outfit who have been uncharacteristically inconsistent this season.

While Munster have lost three of their last four fixtures, White is not expecting it to be easy for his team in Limerick.

“Munster is a massive club. If you are making a comparison with football teams, they are up there with the Barcelonas and Manchester Uniteds of the world. They’ve won European titles and are one of the big rugby teams in the world.

“We are under no illusion that this is going to be easy or that they will show any sort of sympathy. I know they are coming for us. They have their backs against the wall. It’s going to be a big game for both teams

“I think it’s the first time they are playing at Thomond Park this season. I’m looking forward to it, because it’s another big test for our young squad, to see where these players are in the pecking order.

“There is a tour coming up where the SA A team will be playing against Munster. That’s a good thing for us to use as a bit of motivation.”

Photo: Johan Rynners/Gallo Images/Vodacom Bulls

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Dylan Jack