The Bulls have secured the long-term future of lock Reinhardt Ludwig, with the 24-year-old signing a contract extension that will keep him at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria until 2030.
Ludwig has progressed through the Pretoria franchise’s development system and is regarded as an important part of the Bulls’ plans for the future. He made his senior debut for the team in 2021 and has played his entire professional career with the franchise.
The 1.99m, 111kg forward also represented the South African Under-20 side in 2021 and 2022.
Ludwig’s rugby development began at Afrikaanse Seuns Hoerskool (Affies), where he was appointed head boy and captained the school’s First XV. Those roles helped establish his leadership credentials before he entered the professional game.
He has continued to develop as a leader at the Bulls, while his athleticism and physical strength have marked him out as one of the franchise’s emerging players.
After agreeing the new deal, Ludwig thanked the Bulls’ coaching and management staff for their faith in him.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Bulls for the opportunity to extend. It means a lot that the coaches and the management have shown their trust and belief in me,” he said.
“I’m really excited; they’ve built an unbelievable squad and it’s such a privilege to be a part of that.”
Ludwig also said he was determined to keep working hard and help the team achieve more success.
Blue Bulls Company CEO Edgar Rathbone said retaining the lock was a significant part of the franchise’s long-term planning.
“Reinhardt is exactly the kind of player we want to build this team around. He has come through our system, he leads by example, and he has the athleticism and talent to become a mainstay in our starting side,” Rathbone said.
“Securing him until 2030 shows how much we believe in him and in the future of this squad.”
The new contract gives Ludwig long-term security as he continues to challenge for a regular place in the Bulls’ starting XV.
Competition for positions in the second row remains intense, however, and Ludwig will need to maintain consistent performances if he is to establish himself as a first-choice selection.
With his future settled, his next task will be to turn the potential he has shown into a more prominent role in the Bulls side in the seasons ahead.
