Heartbreak for SA rugby as former Bok Cornal Hendricks dies aged 37

The South African rugby fraternity woke up to sad news on Thursday morning after the passing of former Springboks wing Cornal Hendricks.

The 37-year-old Hendricks suffered a suspected heart attack on Wednesday, 10 years after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition.

Hendricks made his Springboks debut in 2014, playing 12 Tests and scoring five tries. He scored a memorable try against the All Blacks in 2014, when he ran a perfect line after a well-executed lineout move.

After the diagnosis in 2015, doctors advised Hendricks to quit the game. But Hendricks still wanted to keep playing and sought a second opinion.

However, possible moves to Toulon, the Stormers and Kings fell through as SA Rugby prevented the wing-come-centre from signing for any team because of his condition.

After four years in the wilderness, Hendricks was given a lifeline by the Bulls. A couple of years later, he won the Covid-19 influenced Super Rugby Unlocked title and the Currie Cup with the Bulls, winning the player of the tournament for the latter competition in the 2021-22 season.

In 2022, Hendricks was close to Springbok selection after playing a starring role for Jake White’s team at inside centre. However, he was left out of the squad after then-Bok coach Jacques Nienaber confirmed that the SA Rugby medical team had not given him the “green light” for selection.

After leaving the Bulls in 2024, earning 115 caps and scoring 34 tries across all competitions, Hendricks’ rugby journey came full circle after starting his career in Wellington where he grew up.

After representing Boland at age-group level, Hendricks made his professional debut for the senior team in 2008 and spent four years in the black and gold. He then left for the Cheetahs in 2012 where he showed his worth in Super Rugby.

This past weekend, Hendricks helped Boland get back to the Currie Cup’s Premier division following an SA Cup victory over Eastern Province.

@JohnGoliath82