Stormers lining up swap deal for out-of-favour Bulls backline star

The news comes just days after John Dobson's side were hit with a long-term knee injury to veteran centre Ruhan Nel, who went down early against the Sharks on the weekend and will be out for the remainder of the season.

According to Rugby365, the Stormers will give the Bulls their centre Cornel Smit in exchange for Simelane's services.

Dobson did hint after the clash against the Sharks that they have a plan in mind to deal with Nel's absence, while also mentioning Suleiman Hartzenberg and Englishman Ben Loader as potential options at centre.

"Suleiman can play at 13 and he is a good centre. Ben Loader will be back early next year," he said. "[But] we do have another plan."

Simelane made a name for himself as an exciting talent at the Lions before making the move to Pretoria. However, he has played just five minutes as a substitute for the Bulls all season.

The Bulls tried to offload him to the Sharks in early December but the move fell through after the two parties could not agree terms.

Simelane nearly made the move to Cape Town back in 2020 but that deal also failed to materialise after the Lions were able to match the Capetonians' offer and keep him for another season.

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