Biography

Andile Simelane is a young South African all-rounder who brings genuine pace with the ball and enough stroke with the bat to make him a future asset for the Proteas. Born in Durban in 2003, his athleticism and versatility have already attracted attention.

Simelane made his List A debut for KwaZulu‑Natal Inland in January 2020. He progressed through the KwaZulu-Natal youth ranks and by 2023 had made his first-class debut for the Dolphins in the CSA 4-Day Series. One of his standout domestic moments came when playing for the South Africa Emerging side- he smashed a counter-attacking unbeaten 110 off 70 balls to rescue his team from a weak position. He also joined the franchise circuit via the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, reflecting his rising stock in T20 cricket.

Simelane earned his T20I debut for South Africa national cricket team in 2024 against India in Durban. He was also included in the squad for White-ball series in the UAE later that year, as part of a strategic move to build depth in the national team. Though still early, his opportunities in limited-overs internationals mark him as one of the younger names in South Africa’s future plans.

Simelane joined the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and won the first two editions in the SA20 franchise competition, which positions him alongside and against top international stars - providing exposure to high-pressure T20 environments that will feed into his development.