A protector for bore rods and pump rods that is frictionally connected to the rods comprises an elastomeric body with a metal reinforcement. The elastomeric body comprises a middle section and end pieces whereby the end pieces have a diameter that is reduced relative to a diameter of the middle section. Metal sleeves enclose the end pieces for receiving radially acting forces resulting from heat expansion of the elastomeric body during operation. The length of the metal sleeves is preferably greater than the inner diameter of the metal sleeves. The end pieces that are enclosed by the metal sleeves are radially pre-loaded with respect to the metal sleeves at ambient temperature. The radial thickness of the wall of the end pieces and the length of the metal sleeves are selected such that at elevated temperatures during operation the pressure exerted by the protector onto the bore rods respectively pump rods is greater than at ambient temperature so that the heat expansion improves the frictional connection between the protector and the respective rods.
