Fresh from signing Springbok fullback Warrick Gelant, Western Province are hoping to convince Lions centre Wandisile Simelane to move to the Cape. DYLAN JACK reports.

Province on Wednesday announced that they had signed Gelant from the Vodacom Bulls. The 25-year-old, who was schooled at Hoërskool Outenqiua in George, was in Bulls director of rugby Jake White’s long-term plans, but surprisingly turned down an offer to extend his contract to return to the Western Cape.

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SARugbymag.co.za understands that Province have joined the race for Simelane’s signature. Recent reports have suggested that the 22-year-old former Junior Springbok midfielder is unhappy with his game time at the Lions and is also the subject of interest from the Sharks.

Simelane played in just three of the Lions’ opening seven fixtures and suffered a grade-one medial collateral ligament, tear which ruled him out of the match against the Blues in Auckland.

If Province do manage to convince Simelane to sign up, he could be reunited in midfield with Rikus Pretorius. The two were teammates for the Junior Springboks during the 2018 U20 World Championships in France and could form the basis of the Stormers midfield for years to come.

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