Cheetahs bolster forward stocks with Rudolph signing

The Cheetahs confirmed on Monday that loose forward Jeandré Rudolph will be joining the Bloemfontein-franchise on 1 November 2020 on a two-year deal.  

Rudolph is currently contracted by the Pumas where he has been playing his rugby since 2018.

According to the Cheetahs press release, the 26-year-old can play anywhere in the backrow and his play is "tailor-made for the Cheetahs brand of rugby".

"I am very excited to get the opportunity to move to Bloem and join the Cheetahs from the end of the year," said Rudolph. 

"The Cheetahs have been good over the last couple of years, winning the Currie Cup last year and performing well in the PRO14. That made my decision to join them a lot easier."

Rudolph is a product Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale and he played his junior rugby for the SWD Eagles become heading to Potchefstroom to study.

In 2016, Rudolph captained their North-West University Pukke to their first and only Varsity Cup title when they beat the Maties 7-6 right at the death in Coetzenburg. 

Other Cheetahs players who started for the Pukke in the final are Rhyno Smith, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Walt Steenkamp and Wilmar Arnoldi.

In 2018 Rudolph joined the Pumas and in that year they beat the Griquas 32-30 in Oudtshoorn in the final of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge. Rudolph was named as the man of the match in the final for his stellar performance.

In 2020 he joined the Bulls on loan from the Pumas and played in the Super Rugby from the Pretoria-based franchise.

"I got a little bit of experience at the Bulls in the Super Rugby. I really enjoyed my time down in Pretoria, but I think that this is a great new opportunity for me to play against the best Europe has to offer week-in, week-out," he said.

"I am very excited and keen to get going. There are a lot of quality players at the Cheetahs, and with Frans (Steyn) and them all going there it is very exciting. I can't wait."

- Cheetahs