Cheetahs bid true workhorse and others farewell

NEWS: The Cheetahs’ unrelenting workhorse Jeandre Rudolph has bid his team farewell after their heartbreaking semifinal loss in the SA Cup on Saturday.

Playing in his 74th and final game for the Cheetahs, the stalwart watched as his side was defeated 38-41 by the Griquas.

Rudolph has been a mainstay for the Cheetahs – an unheralded workhorse and diesel engine with no qualms about applying all the torque at the breakdowns.

His journey with the Cheetahs culminated in their Currie Cup triumph in 2023, when they defeated his former team and the then-defending champions, the Pumas, in Bloemfontein. He also spent a stint on loan with the Ospreys in Swansea, Wales.

Rudolph will forever be remembered as the first North-West University (NWU) captain to hoist the Varsity Cup trophy.

That night, in Stellenbosch in 2016, Rudolph and his men survived onslaught after onslaught and dished out attack after attack to beat Maties 7-6 after nearly 10 minutes of overtime.

Rudolph would continue to lead the side for three seasons.

He subsequently joined the Pumas, which he also captained on occasion, and was loaned to the Bulls for the 2020 Super Rugby tournament, which came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In November 2020, he signed a two-year deal with the Cheetah. He also spent a stint on loan with the Ospreys in Swansea, Wales.

Rudolph has not indicated where he is off to and which team he will join.

The 41-year-old loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira has also called time on his career.

The other confirmed departures are tighthead prop Rob Hunt, who is said to be on his way to the Dragons (Wales), and Laurence Victor, who has been linked to the Boland Cavaliers.

The last of the six departees are flanker Andisa Ntsila and utility back Andell Loubser.