Born in Masterton, Mudgeway attended school in New Zealand, being an active rower and in the school's rugby union first XV.
He went on to play representative rugby union in New Zealand and club rugby in Wales for the Swansea RFC.
[4] Mudgeway played rugby league for South Africa at the 1995 World Cup, starting at lock in the match against England.
[4] A friend of Sharks coach John Plumtree, Mudgeway died the day before the 2010 Currie Cup final.
[5] The Sharks won the Currie Cup the next day, defeating Western Province 30–10.