Latest news with #CornalHendricks
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Special reminder: Why Bulls have retired No 14 jersey
Last month, former Springbok and Bulls star Cornal Hendricks tragically passed away from a heart attack, with tributes and special messages pouring in ever since the news came to light. After returning to rugby after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, Hendricks largely revived his career at the Bulls over the last few years, and the Pretoria-based franchise has led a number of special tributes to Hendricks since his death. One of these includes no longer fielding the No 14 jersey, having chosen to 'retire' the number in honour to Hendricks until the end of the season. Each jersey worn will also carry photos of Hendricks within the number on the back of the jerseys, with the Bulls hoping to go all the way in the URC in honour of the former winger. 'Many people were shocked and sad when his career was cut short in 2015,' Bulls boss Jake White recently commented as he shared memories of coaching Hendricks. '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 teammates and the South African community through his story of hope and courage. 'It was a privilege and honour to have been his coach, a fantastic role model for the next generation and his appetite for life was infectious. Rugby has lost one of the good ones today.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls to stave off Edinburgh's momentum with their ‘golden nugget'
Edinburgh have only lost one of their last six URC games, while the Bulls look to their 'golden nugget' in the late Cornal Hendricks. The Bulls say they are leaning on the loss of Cornal Hendricks as a motivator as they take on high-flying Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals. The teams clash at Loftus on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm) after the Pretoria outfit finished the league phase of the competition second, and Edinburgh shouldered their way through a packed mid-table battle to end seventh. The Scottish side come from a solid 47–17 win against Ulster that sealed their play-off spot, though it followed an equally impressive 31–21 victory away against Connacht. Of their last six URC games, Edinburgh have only lost one and drawn one. Edinburgh were 'dead and buried' Bulls director of rugby Jake White said he anticipates a tough game against the team of his former understudy, Sean Everitt, after the Bulls narrowly lost 34–28 in Edinburgh last month. 'They were dead and buried six, seven or eight weeks ago. I read articles about how he might be out of a job and they might not make the top eight,' White said. 'They ended up playing the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and they did make the top eight. And not even that, they came seventh – they didn't even squeak in. They needed five points against Ulster and they got it. That's what momentum does.' The Bulls coach said Edinburgh will come to Loftus with confidence and experience. 'I think more of their players have played international rugby than our players. We beat them one year when Henry Immelman [when playing for Edinburgh] missed the kick on the hooter. I don't think it will be any different. I think it's going to be a tough quarter-final fixture.' Cornal Hendricks the 'golden nugget' for Bulls However, the Bulls can draw on their 22-16 victory against the Scots earlier in the season. Head-to-head, both sides have won every game played at home. The Bulls are now on a four-game winning streak, thumping Dragons with nine tries in their last fixture (final score 55–15). Former Bulls star Cornal Hendricks passed away in the days leading up to that game, which affected the team emotionally. They needed a break from training that week, and paid tribute to the former Springbok wing that week and during the match. White said they had perhaps found their 'why' and 'golden nugget' for the season. 'Sometimes you need a 'why' and a reason, and you look at what happened to Munster when [Anthony] Axel Foley died, that whole club galvanised and took another step up. 'We miss him (Hendricks) clapping hands or doing the rituals he used to do. 'Hopefully, it will be a reason for us to play better… Maybe that's the golden nugget we need for this group to take another step up. Maybe I need his friends to play a little harder just so we can pull it through this year.'
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
'Resilience, courage and love . . . ' Late Springbok Cornal Hendricks' emotional farewell
Former teammates and friends of the late Cornal Hendricks carry his coffin into the church for his funeral service in Wellington. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media There were tears, sadness and even a few moments of laughter as former teammates, coaches, friends and family reflected on the life of Cornal Hendricks during an emotional funeral service in his hometown of Wellington. Former Springboks wing Hendricks was laid to rest in Paarl's Heroes Acre on Sunday after his shock passing on May 14 following a fatal heart attack at the age of 37. Former teammates who came to pay their final respects included current Paarl-born Boks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie, while Bulls coach Jake White and chief executive Edgar Rathbone also made the trip down from Pretoria to say their goodbyes. It was White and Rathbone who gave Hendricks a rugby lifeline in 2019 after four years in the wilderness after he was diagnosed with a heart condition that prevented him from taking the field. 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 ✕ Former teammates such as Springboks Juan de Jongh, Lionel Mapoe and Gio Aplon carry Cornal Hendricks' coffin to its final resting place at Paarl's Heroes Acre. 📹 Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media — IOL Sport (@IOLsport) May 25, 2025 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 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. Hendricks left the Bulls in 2024 after earning 115 caps and scoring 34 tries across all competitions. His rugby journey then came full circle after he joined Boland, where his professional rugby journey started in 2008. That journey also included stints at the Free State Cheetahs and Blitzboks, before he became a Springboks in 2014, playing 12 Tests and scoring five tries. Handricks played his last competitive match for Boland in March during Boland's run to the SA Cup semi-finals after complaining of fatigue and shortness of breath. He was set to retire after the SA Cup before his untimely death. Former Springboks wing Cornal Hendricks, 37, died on May 14 following a heart attack. Bulls coach Jake White attended Cornal Hendricks' funeral. Cornal Hendricks' Springbok blazer adorned his casket. The funeral of Cornal Hendricks. Cornal Hendricks was laid to rest in his hometown of Wellington. On Sunday, during funeral at the NG Kerk Modergemeente in Wellington, many reminisced about Hendricks' career and unbelievable rugby ability. But they also spoke about his courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, like being told he would never be able to play rugby again. Many of Hendricks' Tests on the right wing were next to Bryan Habana on the left wing. In an emotional video message, the great Bok speedster managed to put into words what a giant of a man Hendricks was off the field. 'Cornal wasn't just a great rugby player, he was a man of faith and courage. A man of integrity and a steadfast character. A person who loved his fellow man and a man whose positivity always shone through, no matter how life treated him,' Habana said. 'He was humble even with all his successes and brave in his fights. He had that determination to succeed. To speak of Cornal, is to speak of courage and determination, of someone that defied the odds and never stopped believing in his story, even though some of the chapters had some unexpected setbacks.' Hendricks didn't attend a big rugby school and didn't even play Craven Week for Boland. In fact, he came through the club ranks in the province and worked in a factory while making his way through the ranks at the union. But it was his will to succeed that got him his first contract with the union, before bigger doors opened and his rugby career took off. 'From the humble streets of Wellington where his passion for the game was born to the proud moment of 2014 when he pulled on that Springbok jersey for the very first time, he played with an unwavering heart and inspired everyone around him,' Habana added. 'Even in the face of unimaginable setbacks when the whole world was telling him no, Cornal chose to rise up and not let life get the better of him. He fought with dignity, passion and prayer. He is a true testament to his faith, perseverance, resilience and his unwavering human spirit. 'I had the honour of sharing the Springboks jersey with Cornal on a number of occasions. Let me tell you, when he wore that jersey, he just didn't wear the green and gold, he honoured every fabric of it - every run, every tackle and every try. He always gave everything.'
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
eNCA
24-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Wellington derby remembers Cornal Hendricks
WELLINGTON, WC - Since the news of his untimely passing, the South African rugby community has rallied to remember Cornal Hendricks. The latest show of respect for the winger is a Wellington rugby derby between Roses United and Newtons at Boland Rugby Stadium. Hendricks played for the Roses first team while in matric at Hoerskool Bergrivier and his former club will be hoping to honour him in the best way possible.
