Ernst Ladendorf
# Ernst Ladendorf

Ernst Frederich Erwin Ladendorf (born 5 February 1992 in Alberton, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for the Falcons. He can play as a flanker, number eight or a lock.

## Career

### Sharks

After school, Ladendorf joined the Sharks Academy in Durban. He represented the Sharks U19 side in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship, scoring a try against the Golden Lions U19s as they finished fifth on the log.

### Border Bulldogs

He moved down the coast in 2012 to join East London-based side the Border Bulldogs. He played for the Border U21 side in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship, making eight appearances and again scoring a try against the Golden Lions. Border finished the season bottom of the log with just two victories in their twelve matches, but a 21–15 victory over Eastern Province U21 saw them retain their place in Group A of the competition.

Ladendorf was included in the Border Bulldogs senior squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup. He made his first class debut for them in their 24–25 defeat to a Free State XV in Alice, coming on as a first-half blood-bin replacement. Two more appearances off the bench followed in their matches against Western Cape sides Boland Cavaliers and SWD Eagles, with the Border Bulldogs winning both matches. In the latter half of the year, he was involved in a disastrous campaign for the Border U21 side in the 2013 Under-21 Provincial Championship. Ladendorf weighed in with two tries in each of their matches against the Leopards U21, but could not help his side losing all twelve their matches in the competition. He scored a try in their relegation play-off match, to help them to a 23–21 victory against the Eastern Province U21s for the second year in a row to once again remain in Group A.

### Falcons

Ladendorf was one of a number of players that moved from East London to Kempton Park-based outfit the Falcons for the 2014 season. He made two appearances for the Falcons in the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition. He started all six of their matches in the 2014 Currie Cup qualification series, but the Falcons finished in sixth spot, to qualify to the 2014 Currie Cup First Division. He played in two of their five matches of the First Division regular season, before appearing as a replacement in their 31–24 upset victory over the Leopards in the semi-final of the competition. He started the final of the competition, but the Falcons suffered a 21–23 defeat to Welkom-based side the Griffons.

