logo
The spirit of Cornal Hendricks must help Boland as Cavaliers try to lift themselves for Pumas

The spirit of Cornal Hendricks must help Boland as Cavaliers try to lift themselves for Pumas

IOL News16-05-2025
FILE - Boland and their players have been through a lot over the last couple of days following the passing of Cornal Hendricks. The team now face the Pumas in a SA Cup semi-final on Friday night.
It's been a rollercoaster week of emotions for the Boland Cavaliers, going from the great high of qualifying for the Premier Division of the Currie Cup to the crushing low of Cornal Hendricks' shock passing.
Boland beat Eastern Province last Saturday to get back into the top tier of the Currie Cup for the first time in nine years. But the team was rocked by the untimely death of one of the union's icons on Wednesday night.
Hendricks moved back to Boland after leaving the Bulls in September last year. He had five wonderful years in Pretoria after a period out of the game because of a rare heart condition.
His homecoming back to Wellington to play for the team where it all started for him in 2008 was seen as a bit of a fairytale ending to a career that hit a major speedbump in 2015. The Currie Cup qualification was seen as a fitting way for him to add even more gloss to an already disguised career, even though he hadn't featured for the team since March.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

WATCH: Keyboard-playing Angelo Davids is dancing to a special tune for the Lions
WATCH: Keyboard-playing Angelo Davids is dancing to a special tune for the Lions

IOL News

time5 hours ago

  • IOL News

WATCH: Keyboard-playing Angelo Davids is dancing to a special tune for the Lions

Former Blitzboks speedster Angelo Davids is loving life at the Lions. Image: Backpagepix When nobody is watching, Lions wing Angelo Davids plays the keyboard in his room. But on the field, he plays a different tune with ball in hand. We saw that last week when the former Western Province man dazzled the Sharks' defence to score two tries and announce to the rugby world that there is vibrant rugby life for him outside of Cape Town. 'It was a great start for me, personally, which is what I wanted,' Davids said of his emphatic start to his Lions career. 'But that is in the past. It is a new week and a new game (against Western Province). I have to focus on my principles to get better.' The Lions like to give the ball air, and former Blitzbok Davids says this suits his style of play. 'I 100 percent enjoy the way the Lions play,' Davids said. 'But it also helps to get game time, and I didn't get a lot of that in Cape Town. The more you play, the more opportunity you have to perform.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Davids understands that he has big boots to fill in that he is taking over from Springbok Edwill van der Merwe, who has moved to the Sharks. 'Edwill is a heck of a player, but I need to do what I need to do to become the best,' he said. 'I need to keep going, doing the small things behind the scenes when nobody is watching. That is what counts. I need to keep grinding away to become the best I can be.' Davids' old team, WP, are blooding youngsters, as is the norm for the big unions in the Currie Cup, and that makes them dangerous in the eyes of the 26-year-old. 'They are a threat because we don't know a lot of their guys, so we need to focus on ourselves to be successful on the weekend. We must get our principles right and nail our detail. 'Province will be hungry because they lost at the weekend (to the Bulls), so they will come out firing. We must stay calm and relaxed, and do what we need to do.' On a personal level, Davids says he needs to be the best version of himself. 'My goal is to become the best Angelo Davids. To do that, I need to perform the best I can on and off the field. I must make sure I do my recovery right and get my detail right. I must do what I know I can do to improve in every way.' Away from rugby, Davids says he retreats into a musical world. 'I love playing the keyboard when I want to take a break from rugby. I go into my room and play worship music, and relax my mind. That is what I love doing.' Ultimately, he knows he has to pay back the Lions for their trust in him. 'The Lions got me to Johannesburg to do a job. They signed me because they know what I can do, and I need to deliver on the rugby field.'

Sharks load team with Junior Springboks to try and kickstart Currie Cup campaign against Bulls
Sharks load team with Junior Springboks to try and kickstart Currie Cup campaign against Bulls

IOL News

time7 hours ago

  • IOL News

Sharks load team with Junior Springboks to try and kickstart Currie Cup campaign against Bulls

Junior Springbok flyhalf Vusi Moyo has been drafted into the Sharks team for their Currie Cup match against the Bulls. Image: Maurilio Boldrini / World Rugby Goal-kicking ace Vusi Moyo is among six Junior Springboks included in the Sharks XV squad for their Currie Cup visit to the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday. Moyo, Jaco Williams, Albie Bester, Ceano Everson, Simphiwe Ngobese, and Matt Romao have injected U20 world championship success into the Sharks side that endured a baptism of fire last week at Ellis Park, where they copped 40 points from the Lions. Coach JP Pietersen says the U20 stars, fresh from their triumph in Italy, have picked up the team's intensity in training this week. 'The time is ripe for the youngsters to make the step up into Currie Cup rugby,' said Pietersen. 'Their recent achievements on the world stage will add firepower.' Williams, with his eye for the tryline and pace to match, has been named on the wing, replacing Khuthi Rasivhagam, who moves to the bench, while Ngobese covers prop and flank. Romao will provide back row cover on the bench. Moyo, also on the bench, starred for the Junior Boks with his place-kicking, astute distribution, and physicality. He amassed 63 points across the tournament and was the showpiece's top scorer. Adding top-level experience amongst the forwards are lock Corne Rahl and flanker Tino Mavesere. They replace Gideon Koegelenberg and Mawande Mdanda, respectively. From an experienced point of view, tighthead prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko is a welcome addition to the side. The 28-year-old former Stormer has returned to South Africa after a season with Racing 92 in France. He starts in Mawande Mdanda's place. Pietersen said that his team's loss to the Lions should be seen in perspective. 'We have a different squad than last year in that we don't have older guys. For example, last week, the player cap total was just over 100 in the whole group of 23. 'It is a tough path to follow, but do we have fight in the group? Yes, we have, and we also have talented players. We need time. All we can do is take it day by day. 'I can say that we have had better training sessions this week. The Baby Boks have slotted in nicely and lifted the intensity. They know what to do. It is exciting to have them.' Former Springbok Pietersen said his job as Currie Cup coach is to develop talent for the United Rugby Championship. 'Our main objective is to blood youngsters. We want to develop players who can be good enough to step up to the URC. 'If we can win the Currie Cup, that would be great, but our main objective is to bring through talent. 'If you look at the Bulls and the Lions, they have a lot of players who played in the URC, players who understand the game. Last week we had eight debutants, and this week the same number. 'Our focus is on us and how we can stay in our system and attack for as long as possible.' Sharks XV — 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Bradley Davids (VC), 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bryce Calvert, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Matt Ramao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Albie Bester.

Lions and Sharks in tug-of-war over Junior Springbok star Batho Hlekani
Lions and Sharks in tug-of-war over Junior Springbok star Batho Hlekani

The South African

time8 hours ago

  • The South African

Lions and Sharks in tug-of-war over Junior Springbok star Batho Hlekani

A tug-of-war is brewing between the Sharks and the Lions over the services of world champion Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani, with the Durban franchise intent on keeping their prized loose forward under contract until the end of the year. The 20-year-old Hlekani, who was a standout performer for the Junior Boks at the recent World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, has been the subject of significant interest following his impressive displays. The hard-running forward played a pivotal role in South Africa's first World Championship win since 2012 and has since earned an invite to the senior Springbok squad for a two-week training camp in Johannesburg. The Lions have made a push to bring Hlekani into their squad sooner rather than later, a move prompted by the season-ending injury of flanker Izan Esterhuizen. Despite Hlekani's recent signing with the Lions, which saw a reversal of the trend of players moving from the Lions to the Sharks, the latter are determined to keep him for the remainder of his contract. Hlekani, who hails from Zwide in the Eastern Cape (the same township as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi), was a key player in the Sharks' Currie Cup triumph last season. His stellar performances earned him a place in the Sharks' squad for the current Currie Cup season, making him an important asset as the team continues to challenge for silverware. Sharks Chief Operating Officer Novashni Chetty issued a clear statement on Thursday regarding Hlekani's contract situation, confirming the player is contracted to the franchise until 31 December. 'Batho is contracted to us until 31 December 2025,' Chetty said, signaling that the Sharks are not willing to release the talented flanker before his contract expires. Despite the Lions' urgency to secure Hlekani, the Sharks remain resolute in keeping him, at least for the remainder of the Currie Cup season. The Lions, seeking to boost their squad with youthful talent, have already made moves to strengthen their ranks with several Junior Boks and up-and-coming players, including Haashim Pead, Ethan Adams, and Sherwin Buys, among others. Hlekani's role in the Junior Boks' World Championship victory was pivotal, especially as he captained the team in their final Pool A match against Scotland. The Sharks have confirmed that Hlekani will not be available for their upcoming Currie Cup fixture (against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld) as he continues with the Springboks' commitments. Sharks coach JP Pietersen, speaking after his team's heavy 46-5 loss to the Lions in their first-round Currie Cup clash, acknowledged Hlekani's absence. 'Batho won't be available… he will be in the Springbok set-up,' Pietersen said, indicating that the Junior Bok star is likely to join the senior squad once his U20 commitments conclude. The Lions, meanwhile, remain eager to bring Hlekani into their fold as soon as possible. Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi has expressed the hope of securing Hlekani's services following his Springbok duties. 'We are trying to get Batho to join ASAP, hopefully after his Springbok commitments,' Nkosi said, emphasising the Lions' need to bolster their squad following Esterhuizen's injury. With both teams now eyeing the talented flanker, it's clear that a battle over Hlekani's future is far from over. The Sharks are committed to honoring their contract with the player, but the Lions are determined to fast-track the acquisition of the Junior Bok star, adding further intrigue to the ongoing Currie Cup competition. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store