The player has proven himself as a stalwart in any team he has played for during his short career, but the move to the Cheetahs will be the biggest of his career.

The Varsity Cup-winning former North-West University Pukke captain did play some Super Rugby as a loan player for the Bulls earlier this year. Before he moved to Nelspruit, he also represented the Leopards in the Currie Cup first division,

Rudolph told OFM Sport that the Cheetahs' status as Currie Cup champions made the decision to move to Bloemfontein a lot easier.

“I am very excited to get the opportunity to move to Bloem and join the Cheetahs from the end of the year.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

With the good comes the bad, and the Cheetahs will, however, be bidding farewell to Jasper Wiese, while Daniel Maartens has already joined the Pumas.

Rudolph’s tenure at the Cheetahs will begin on 1 November.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport