The 26-year-old Rudolph, played for the Pukke from 2015 to 2017 and before heading to the Pumas in Nelspruit. While still in Potchefstroom he also represented the Leopards.

Meanwhile, the talented 19-year-old prop, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, is set for a move to the Bulls. The former Clermont loosehead matriculated at Grey College just last year.

Last week the Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that he extended an offer to Wessels, but always felt that the highly sought after player would sign for the Bulls.

“I have also made an offer to Jan-Hendrik Wessels but he might go to the Bulls or somewhere else. He hasn’t committed yet, but I think that he will be lost to us.

“There are a few of the current Grey boys that we have tried to recruit. There are offers out to some of them and we have to maybe recruit one or two more in the current team.

“That is the way that I want to go forward, to show them that we are really interested in them and we would like them to stay at the Cheetahs and not to go away to the other unions.

“I want the youngsters that are able to play for the Cheetahs when they are 20-21 years old. It is not always possible in all of the positions, especially in the front-row or the tight-five it might be difficult.

“We are looking to do that again and breed our own players who can come through our ranks. We are hoping that this is only the start and that all talented boys in Bloem will follow.”

Last week Fourie confirmed that the Cheetahs contracted George Cronjé and Marcell Muller, who both were teammates of Wessels at school.