There is a saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Well don’t tell that to Jeandre Rudolph.
It wasn’t long ago that Rudolph was out of contract, and didn’t know whether his rugby career was over. And then a magical short-term Currie Cup contract at the Bulls gave him a new lease of life, and it hasn’t stopped.
Rudolph was the top poacher in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship last year, beating out Springbok Paul de Villiers - who ironically also hails from the same school in Oakdale - and this season he hasn’t let off either.
His two games for the Vodacom Bulls this season - both abroad - comprised of a bench appearance and a starting role against Munster.
In those two games he has won another four turnovers, gained 87 running metres, had an 87 per cent tackline rate success with 19 carries and two clean breaks.
Those aren’t stats that should be frowned over. Rudolph may be 32, but he is fast becoming a late-season cult hero at Loftus Versfeld and it is easy to understand why.
On Saturday against Munster he scored a try off the wing, thanks to a long pass to him and a motor skill that allowed him to scoot over the line.
Against the All Blacks, where the Bulls took a shellacking, he scored a try as well and he looks set to play another big role in the Bulls season.
So when a side that has Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw and Marcell Coetzee that can play eight, and Rudolph is in contention with those three for the role, he must be in some blistering form.
There isn’t a rugby fan across the world who doesn’t love a redemption story, and Rudolph, whose early career saw him lead North West University to the Varsity Cup title in 2016, then spend time at the Leopards, Pumas and then at the Cheetahs is a testament to never giving up and the journeyman status he has earned.
He had four caps for the Bulls in 2020, but five seasons and 74 appearances with the Cheetahs are what moulded him there, and Rudolph was key to their 2023 Currie Cup title win.
A brief loan spot at the Ospreys saw him get a bit of international experience as well, but by mid 2025 he heard his contract wouldn’t be renewed and serious conversations about retirement followed.
The short term deal for the Currie Cup - that is all it was, a three month deal, changed everything. Injuries opened the door and Rudolph took his chance. Those three months turned into a deal that runs until the end of this season.
Last season he finished as the URC’s top turnover winner with 21. He had 15 by late January and 16 by late February, four clear of anyone else. By June he was on 20, one ahead of Paul de Villiers on 19.
In the URC he played 14 games, 916 minutes, 148 tackles (10.6 a game), made 541 metres carrying, beat 12 defenders and scored 1 try. He was also the Player of the Match away to the Sharks in Durban in December, and against Pau in the Champions Cup in January.
Against the Stormers in early January he had 10 carries, 11 tackles and 4 turnovers. He made a match-high 14 carries against Edinburgh. That Stormers performance got opposition coach John Dobson to quip: “He’s an unsung sort of player. He’s just an amazing player”, praising the breakdown work he did.
At the Bulls awards on 19 August 2026 he won Currie Cup Player of the Year and Champions Cup Forward of the Year.
Against the All Blacks, other than the try, he made four turnovers, before leaving the field with an HIA but that form hasn’t left him this season.
At 32 Rudolph may not be in the Springboks’ picture, but as Deon Fourie has shown at 40, time isn’t a question anymore. There won’t be too many talking him up for that role, but that is how Rudolph will like it.
He will put his head down, do the dirty work and continue to surprise.
And his status at Loftus will continue to rise, as the dream run continues in earnest.