The Stormers look set to replace injured centre Ruhan Nel with Bulls midfielder Wandisile Simelane, according to reports.

Nel is expected to be out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury and while the Cape Town side do have options to replace him in Suleiman Hartzenberg and Englishman Ben Loader, they look set to bring in former junior Springbok star Simelane.

“Suleiman can play at 13 and he is a good centre. Ben Loader will be back early next year,” coach John Dobson said. “We do have another plan.”

Dobson was pleased with how the Stormers edged the Sharks 16-15 in their United Rugby Championship clash at the weekend, ending the year with a three-game winning streak.

“I would very much like for our fizz to come back. There have been one or two moments. But this team has amazing resilience,” Dobson said.

“There was a big change for us, when Ruhan Nel went off. I said I was comfortable during the week, but Jurie Matthee hasn’t even played Varsity Cup at fullback.
“It’s not his fault, he just hasn’t trained there. They also started to get the upper hand (at the scrum).

“We have amazing fight. The fizz and the bling that we want will come back. There are glimpses of it.”