Latest news with #Blitzboks
News24
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Former Bok Cornal Hendricks funeral service
The funeral service for former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks will take place at Wellington Moederkerk on Sunday. Hendricks died last Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He was 37. The service starts at 12:00. Hendricks played 12 Tests for the Springboks between 2014 and 2015 and scored five tries. Hendricks' Test career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a heart ailment in late 2015. He had signed a two-year deal with the Stormers before the condition prevented him from playing for the Cape franchise. A deal with French side Toulon also fell through and he was forced to retire from rugby aged 27. However, after receiving a second medical opinion, he made a comeback for the Bulls in 2019 and played for the Pretoria franchise until 2024, before moving back to Boland where he started his professional career in 2008. He represented the Blitzboks from 2011 to 2014, before signing for the Cheetahs where he became a Springbok. Go to top
Daily Maverick
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
National pride at stake: Shukri Conrad seeks Springbok inspiration for Proteas' historic challenge
As 'biggest final ever' looms for Proteas, head coach Shukri Conrad popped in to visit back-to-back world champions, the Springboks, at their alignment camp. South Africa's sport has been on a hot run in recent times. Across the first three weeks of May, the Blitzboks won the SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles, South Africa won three medals at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China, and Amajita – South Africa's Under-20s — were crowned Afcon champions. But the most-acclaimed champions in the country, the Springboks, who are back-to-back Rugby World Cup winners, have led the winning charge with Rassie Erasmus in the coach's box on both occasions. It is no surprise then that the South Africa's national cricket coach, Shukri Conrad, was keen on rubbing shoulders with the brains trust that pulled off the World Cup double. 'For all of us it's been really inspiring,' Conrad said, after spending time with the Springbok squad that gathered in Cape Town for the team's second alignment camp of the year. 'If you look at the history of the Springboks, if you look at the past two successive World Cups — back-to-back, potentially a third… 'They obviously must be doing a lot of things right and we'd like to see what they're doing right and then learn from each other.' The Proteas, since their readmission to international cricket in 1991, have underdelivered compared with expectations in the trophy department. It's something Conrad is looking to correct when his side face Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in England from 11 June 2025. 'It used to be a month away, it's now next week when we leave for the UK for what is our biggest final ever, I'd like to think,' Conrad said. Cross-pollination Conrad added that the language used by the Springboks was similar to that used by the Proteas, although the process of delivering the message was different. 'Listening, sitting in this morning and chatting to some of the players and coaches, and listening to and going through the presentation that Rassie and some of the coaches did is just the common threads that we find across both sports,' Conrad added. 'We might not have put a lot of these things in a documented form necessarily, but the languages are pretty much the same. 'What I find really interesting is just the implementation of certain things. Where playing for the Springboks has got to be the biggest thing, playing for the Proteas has to be the biggest thing. 'If that can be the one thing that you're going to really hone in on — which is the case with the Springboks and which is what we're trying to establish with the Proteas. Playing for the national side has to be the biggest thing.' Their meeting is not a one-off thing either, with Conrad interested in sharing and gaining knowledge from South Africa's other national sporting coaches. 'I really think so. It's something that — both Rassie and I agree — we should be spending a lot more time together as head coaches,' he said. 'I'd love to spend some time with Hugo (Broos) or Desiree Ellis in the soccer space. I watch every Bafana Bafana game, I started watching netball when the World Cup was here. 'I know there's a slogan, 'Stronger Together', and it's exactly that, we can all be stronger together. Sharing in national pride is the same across every code. 'It's great rubbing shoulders across different codes. It's not only coming here wanting to learn from them, it's us almost sharing ideas, and that was always the intention when Rassie and I first started chatting. 'Just the cross-pollination, sharing of ideas and learning from each other.' Erasmus, who has spent time with Bafana coach Broos in the past, shared Conrad's sentiments. 'I firmly believe in having our national coaches working together and sharing ideas, as we all have the same goal in mind – to make the country proud – so we are thrilled that they took time out of their busy schedules to spend the day with us,' Erasmus said about Conrad's visit. 'Hopefully, we can see a lot more collaboration between all our national coaches in the future.' Beaming with pride Conrad, who watches national sport beaming with pride, will be keen to bring that same pride to other South Africans when they play against Australia in the World Test Championship final. 'Just a few weeks ago, watching our athletes in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays — there's so much pride, you feel being part of any South African team is unmatched, whether it's the Springboks, Bafana Bafana, or the Proteas,' he said. 'I don't think there's a better feeling in the world than being involved with the national side. 'The more we share ideas and spend time together and help each other along on this journey, it can only go well for our country on a broader scale as well.'
News24
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Former Bok Cornal Hendricks' memorial service
The memorial service for former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks will take place at the Boland Stadium in Wellington on Thursday. Hendricks died last Wednesday after suffering a hear attack. He was 37. Obituary | Cornal Hendricks may have died young, but he never took no for an answer in life The service starts at 12:00. Hendricks played 12 Tests for the Springboks between 2014 and 2015 and scored five tries. Hendricks' Test career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a heart ailment in late 2015. He had signed a two-year deal with the Stormers before the condition prevented him from playing for the Cape franchise. A deal with French side Toulon also fell through and he was forced to retire from rugby aged 27. However, after receiving a second medical opinion, he made a comeback for the Bulls in 2019 and played for the Pretoria franchise until 2024, before moving back to Boland where he started his professional career in 2008. He represented the Blitzboks from 2011 to 2014, before signing for the Cheetahs where he became a Springbok. Go to top
The Herald
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Bulls, SA Rugby mourn shock death of former Bok Cornal Hendricks at 37
SA Rugby said apart from playing in '12 Tests for the Springboks in 2014 and 2015, he also represented the Blitzboks between 2011 and 2014, with whom he won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow in 2014. 'Hendricks, who was named Springbok Sevens Player of the Year for 2013, made his senior debut in the colours of the Boland Cavaliers, which is also where his career concluded after his last game for Boland in the SA Cup earlier this year. 'He also represented the Cheetahs and Bulls with distinction in Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship, and the light blue jersey in the Currie Cup finals of 2020 and 2021, both won by the Bulls. 'Apart from his 12 Tests, in which he scored five tries, Hendricks played one non-Test match for Boks and also ran out in the colours of the South Africa A team. In total Hendricks played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 years.'
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Former South Africa winger Hendricks dies aged 37
Former South Africa international Cornal Hendricks has died aged 37 after suffering a heart who scored five tries in 12 appearances for the Springboks, died on winger made his Test debut for the Springboks against Wales in 2014, having also played sevens for his was forced to retire from professional rugby 10 years ago after being diagnosed with a heart condition. However, after receiving a second medical opinion, he returned to action with Pretoria-based Super Rugby side Bulls in 2019. He represented South Africa in rugby sevens between 2011 and 2014, earning selection for the Blitzboks for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens and winning a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth total, he played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 rugby director Jack White said: "Many people were shocked and sad when his career was cut short in 2015. "When we had the opportunity to get him back on the park, he took that with open arms and made a remarkable use of his second lease in professional rugby."We all witnessed him leave no stone unturned as he inspired his team-mates and the South African community through his story of hope and courage. Rugby has lost one of the good ones."South African rugby president Mark Alexander added: "Cornal was one of those players who loved the game and he worked extremely hard, but he always did so with a smile on his face, treating all people with respect."His energy and love of life, on and off the field, lifted his team-mates and those around him. His contributions to the sport and his unwavering dedication will always be remembered."
