Smith, who topped the try-scoring with ten tries before the PRO14 was suspended, played alongside Rudolph when the Pukke won the Varsity Cup for the first time in 2016.

The other current Cheetahs who also beat the University of Stellenbosch Maties 7-6 at the Danie Craven stadium in the 2016 final are Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Walt Steenkamp and Wilmar Arnoldi. Steenkamp will, however, be leaving the Cheetahs.

Rudolph will officially be a Cheetahs player from 1 November 2020. He joins the franchise from the Pumas in Nelspruit where he was contracted in 2018. Before moving to the Lowveld he also represented the Leopards in the Currie Cup First Division.

Smith told OFM Sport that he and Rudolph go way back and he feels that the loose forward will add a lot of value, especially in the PRO14.

“We played together for about three years, and he was my captain from under-21 right through to the Varsity Cup. I was also his vice-captain in 2016. We had a pretty good working relationship and because I was in the hostel with him as well he is a guy I know pretty well.

“He is a no-nonsense kind of guy that works really hard and he is also a good oke to be around. He gets on well with a lot of guys.

“I do think that he has a lot of value that he can add. His ability over the ball and in the rucks is definitely something that we can rely on, especially because some of the teams' speed in the rucks is incredibly quick in the PRO14.

“I am really looking forward to having him here and I wish him all the best here and we will see what magic the big guy can bring.”

Earlier in the year, Rudolph gained some Super Rugby experience when he played for the Bulls as a loan player.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport