The value of Strauss in blue
Seasoned Springbok Adriaan Strauss will mot have to adjust or change his game to fit into the Bulls culture.
Strauss, back in Pretoria after a almost a decade playing for the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, will start in his first game the Bulls when they host the Stormers in a big north-south Super Rugby derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Along with fellow Boks Pieter Labuschagne and Trevor Nyakane, both also recruited from the Cheetahs in the off-season, the Bulls will look to the added muscle to help them get their season off to a winning start.
And they should slot into the Bulls set-up seamlessly - because they can keep on playing just as they did at the Cheetahs.
"Throughout South Africa the role of a loosehead [prop] will be the same and the role of the hooker will stay the same [from team to team] as well," Ludeke told rugby365, when asked if there was a need to make adjustments.
"That is the beauty of [Springbok coach] Heyneke [Meyer], who has a basic blueprint that all the players and teams subscribe to.
Yes, there are differences - some teams attack the advantage line differently, maybe make use of tactical kicking.
"However, the role of the [various] positions are basically the same.
"There isn't that much of a difference how Naka [Drotské, the Cheetahs coach] utilised them and how they play with us."
The other value that Strauss brings is his workrate and effectiveness at the breakdown.
"That is a big strength of his," Ludeke said of the hooker's ability to contest the breakdown.
"He is very competitive at the breakdown and a strong ball carrier.
"He also rings a lot of experience on defence - he takes responsibility for [defence on] the blindside.
"He is also a good communicator and is a strong leader at the Cheetahs, so that brings stability in the front row."
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
* Listen to Ludeke as he talks to @King365ed about Saturday's big game at Loftus Versfeld, scrum problems and the decision to bench captain Pierre Spies!