He’s been dubbed as an unsung hero, but Jeandre Rudolph is starting to get the plaudits he deserves.
Less than a year after being on the brink of retirement, the Vodacom Bulls loose forward is now firmly established as one of the standout performers in the URC.
He has won more turnovers than any other player in the competition this season, with his tally of 16 being four more than his nearest rival.
Earning a reputation as a real “breakdown beast”, the 31-year-old has played a key role in helping the Bulls move into the top eight on the log.
Rudolph has had to bide his time for an opportunity with one of South Africa’s big four clubs, having played the bulk of his rugby at Currie Cup level.
But now, six years on from a brief spell on loan with the Bulls, he is back in Pretoria on a full-time basis with his initial short-term deal having been extended into a two-year contract.
Rudolph has been a regular starter over the past couple of months, packing down at No 8 or flank, and is likely to be an important figure once again in Saturday’s URC clash with the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.
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Rudolph was born in Florida, Gauteng. When he was six, he moved down to the Western Cape with his family, going to school in Riversdale.
“The community I grew up in was a real small-town vibe,” he recalls. “We were just normal kids riding bikes around. I have very fond memories of those times.
“I always played rugby from when I was young, but never thought of it as a career.
“Then, at the end of 2012, I got an opportunity to go to North-West University and play rugby for them. That’s when everything actually started.”
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Rudolph captained the Potchefstroom-based university for three years and led them to their first Varsity Cup title triumph in 2016.
He went on to have spells with the Leopards and the Pumas, ahead of a first short stint with the Bulls in 2020 when he made four Super Rugby appearances.
A move to the Cheetahs followed and he excelled in Bloemfontein, helping them win the 2023 Currie Cup, while he also impressed during a stay on loan with the Ospreys in Wales.
In all, he made 74 appearances during his five seasons with the Cheetahs and became a real cult figure.
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However, last year, it looked as though he may have reached the end of the road amid reports that he could be about to hang up his boots. But then in stepped new Bulls coach Johan Ackermann to sign him up on a short-term deal.
Rudolph has grabbed his chance with both hands, making a huge impact with his carrying, his defence and, above all, his work over the ball.
He was named Man of the Match in December’s URC clash with the Sharks in Durban, while he earned rich praise for his performance against the Stormers in Cape Town at the start of the new year.
“I thought he was incredible at the breakdown, a nuisance really,” said Stormers coach John Dobson. “He’s an unsung sort of player. He’s just an amazing player, a good leader and a good guy.”
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In addition to his exploits in the URC, Rudolph was also named Man of the Match in the Bulls’ Investec Champions Cup away victory against Pau in January – a result which earned them a place in the last 16.
Speaking about life in Pretoria, he said: “The Bulls family culture is a great culture. Everyone is so friendly.
“Obviously, the step up from Currie Cup is something to get used to, but having a lot of experience and good players around you, you quickly catch on.”
He certainly looks to have done just that and is really making his mark as the URC’s turnover king.
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Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The post Rudolph thriving as Bulls’ breakdown beast appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
