logo
Simelane and Dixon to continue careers with the Stormers

Simelane and Dixon to continue careers with the Stormers

The Citizen20-06-2025
Simelane has extended his contract, while Dixon's contractual dispute has also been resolved.
Exciting centre prospect Wandisile Simelane has signed a contract extension with the Stormers, while Springbok loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon's contractual dispute with the Western Province Rugby Union has been resolved.
Simelane, who joined the Cape-based team from the Lions in the early part of last year, will continue to play for the Stormers for the foreseeable future after impressing in the midfield during this last season's United Rugby Championship campaign.
'Looking forward to seeing where this team can go'
Director of Rugby at the Stormers, John Dobson, said he was looking forward to seeing Simelane continue to grow and develop in the Cape.
'Wandi has got incredible natural talent which has marked him as a dangerous player from a young age. What we have been particularly impressed with is his willingness to learn and develop his game,' Dobson said.
'He has an incredibly high ceiling and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do and add to our team going forward.'
Simelane said that the decision to extend his contract was an easy one given the unique environment in Cape Town.
'At the Stormers, players are encouraged to express themselves and make the most of their abilities.
'I feel that I have grown as a player since moving here and I'm looking forward to seeing where this team can go,' he said.
Ben-Jason Dixon, centre, will continue to play for the Stormers. Picture: Gallo Images
Dixon matter resolved
Dixon meanwhile will continue to play for the Stormers until the end of the 2027 season following the end of an arbitration process this week.
Dixon sought arbitration to resolve a particular clause in his contract, which runs until June 2027.
The independent process found Dixon's contract is binding, with no revisions applicable.
Dixon said that with the matter now resolved, he is looking forward to making an impact on the field once again. The loose forward made his Springbok debut last season, but has suffered a few setbacks this year due to injuries.
'I'm really grateful that both sides had the chance to bring everything to the table through arbitration and get clarity going forward. With this behind us, I'm looking forward to getting back to doing what I love … giving my best for the Stormers.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Will the Wallabies beat the Springboks again? Here's Australia's team
Will the Wallabies beat the Springboks again? Here's Australia's team

The South African

time20 minutes ago

  • The South African

Will the Wallabies beat the Springboks again? Here's Australia's team

Flank Fraser McReight will captain Australia as they seek a second successive win against South Africa in their Rugby Championship match at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 17:10. McReight takes over the leadership of the Wallabies after regular captain Harry Wilson was injured after scoring two tries during his team's upset 38-22 win over the Springboks in Johannesburg last Saturday. Rob Valetini will replace Wilson at eighthman in one of three injury-enforced changes. Uncapped Corey Toole will start on the left wing in place of Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a broken jaw during last week's victory, while Tom Robertson will scrum down at loosehead prop because veteran James Slipper has returned home under head injury protocols. Coach Joe Schmidt said the Wallabies expected a tough match against the world champion Springboks, who on Tuesday announced 10 changes to their starting team after the Johannesburg defeat. 'The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the highveld last week,' said Schmidt. 'We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend and we know that we have to improve leading into what is likely to be a bruising encounter,' said Schmidt, referring to a blistering start by the Springboks, who led 22-0 in Johannesburg before the Wallabies stormed back. The Wallabies will be seeking a third successive win after beating the British and Irish Lions 22-12 in Sydney on August 2 before travelling to South Africa. 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman,3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Iketau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway Date: Saturday, 23 August Venue: Cape Town Stadium Kick-off: 17:00 Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand) Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy) TMO: Richard Kelly (Australia) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Unbeaten Kaizer Chiefs face first major challenge as Mamelodi Sundowns test looms
Unbeaten Kaizer Chiefs face first major challenge as Mamelodi Sundowns test looms

IOL News

time2 hours ago

  • IOL News

Unbeaten Kaizer Chiefs face first major challenge as Mamelodi Sundowns test looms

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef says momentum and competition for places will be key as Amakhosi prepare for Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef says it will be important for his side to carry momentum from their flying start to the season as they prepare to face what will be their biggest challenge of the campaign against Mamelodi Sundowns next week. Amakhosi are one of two unbeaten sides in the league after three matches, having bounced back from last season's turbulence in fine style with three wins from three games. With the MTN8 taking centre stage this weekend, their next league outing against the defending champions at the FNB Stadium will provide a real test of their early form. Chiefs are expected to have head coach Nasreddine Nabi back on the bench after he missed the club's first three matches while in Tunisia attending to his wife, who was reported to have been involved in a serious car accident. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading It will be a testing first fixture for the Tunisian, who has remained part of the team's plans from afar. After being dominated by the Chloorkop-based outfit last season with three losses in all competitions, their 2-1 Nedbank Cup semi-final win is their only encouragement heading into this contest. Chiefs' strong start to the season also makes this perhaps the best time to face a team that has set the standard in the league for close to a decade. It will be a match that could expose much: have Chiefs really improved, or is this just new-season energy? For assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef, the focus is clear — hold onto the momentum and turn a bright start into something lasting. 'It's very important for us and the players to have more confidence," said Ben Youssef. 'There is still a lot to do in this team but for now I can say that we are 60% to 70% pleased with the performance. There are a lot of things we need to continue doing and, with the new players, they will give us more solutions to help the team. 'Defensively we have performed very well, but we still have some things to do offensively to create more opportunities to score.' Ben Youssef was also pleased that the squad will be joined by new recruits Asanele Velebayi, Luke Baartman and Etiosa Ighodaro, who will all give them more options going forward once given a chance. The assistant coach welcomed the additions but warned that they will have to fight hard for selection, with competition for places very tight. 'We have seen the quality of these players and we need them to help us this season," said Ben Youssef. 'They have come to the team to fight for positions, and positions at Kaizer Chiefs are very tough. The mentality they need to have is one of fighting to get their positions in the team. We have players who have done well for the team, and they need to fight to take their positions.' Ben Youssef also offered an update on other new signings who are yet to feature since joining Amakhosi earlier in the transfer window, with paperwork delays holding back Nkanyiso Shinga, Ethan Chislett and Flavio Silva. 'Shinga is ready; he received his clearance to play but still has some fitness work to do with our fitness coach. 'Silva also got his clearance the day before the game, but it was already too late as decisions had been made on the match against Richards Bay. Ethan was sick last week and did not make any training sessions, but he is ready to play.' Join us over at THE CLUTCH For the latest breaking sporting news and insights from our veteran sports journalists visit our YouTube channel @theclutchza

Zwane urges improvement despite AmaZulu win
Zwane urges improvement despite AmaZulu win

IOL News

time2 hours ago

  • IOL News

Zwane urges improvement despite AmaZulu win

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane praises his side's defensive resilience but stresses the need for sharper finishing ahead of Sekhukhune United clash. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane was pleased that his side secured their second win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants, but he emphasised that there is still plenty of work to be done ahead of their next match. Usuthu bounced back to winning ways after a 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in their previous outing. Having already opened the season positively with a 1-0 win against newcomers Orbit College, the clash against Gallants was always going to be challenging, particularly given the Bloemfontein-based side's confident start to the campaign. A first-half added-time goal from Keegan Allan ended Siwelele sa Marumo's two-match winning streak in a game where the KwaZulu-Natal outfit could have scored more but were hampered by poor decision-making in the final third. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Zwane was pleased with his team's recovery from their last defeat but expressed concern over missed opportunities, stressing that finishing remains an area in urgent need of improvement. 'We started off brightly, we looked like we could score at any given time,' Zwane said, after the win. 'In the first 20 minutes, we had a couple of chances we could have capitalised on and we did not take them. I am even sweating and getting goosebumps due to the number of chances we missed today. 'It is becoming a worrying factor, because when you've got the opposition allowing you to create chances… they came today with their legs open, allowing us to hurt them, and we did not. 'We could have killed the game in the first half. The good thing is that we managed not to concede a goal towards the end, because that is when they usually score, either early in the first half or towards the end of the game. Instead, it was us who got that opportunity from a dead-ball situation.' Zwane was satisfied with his side's defensive performance, but as AmaZulu prepare to face high-flyers Sekhukhune United when league action resumes next week, the former Kaizer Chiefs coach hopes the break will give his team time to improve. With the club offloading many players who formed the core of last season's squad, Zwane has had to adjust to a team featuring a large proportion of young players. 'At this level, it's about results, but we cannot fault the youngsters' efforts. 'The defence deserves credit; they have kept two clean sheets at home. We want to keep it that way. Going away, we want to make sure that we continue where we left off. 'We need to polish and sharpen our finishing upfront, because today a draw could have been worse for us after creating so many chances. 'In the second half, we were tired and we allowed them time and space; it was only one team playing. We were clearing the ball to nowhere, we had them napping in counter-attacks, but we gave away the ball cheaply. I'll take the points and run, because we wanted to win this game at all costs at home. 'We will build the momentum and confidence from this game in terms of the result, but we still have a lot of work to do.' Join us over at THE CLUTCH For the latest breaking sporting news and insights from our veteran sports journalists visit our YouTube channel @theclutchza

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store