Latest news with #SpringbokSevens
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA Rugby pays tribute to Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete
FILE - Cornal Hendricks is one of a few players who played for both the Springboks and the Springbok Sevens teams. Image: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix SA Rugby president Mark Alexander paid tribute to 'remarkable athlete' Cornal Hendricks following his passing at the age of 37. Hendricks suffered a heart attack and died and on Wednesday while still in the service of the Boland Cavaliers, who over the weekend qualified for the Currie Cup Premier Division after beating Eastern Province. In 2015 Hendricks was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, a year after making his debut for the Springboks. In 2019 he returned to rugby for the Bulls, earning 115 caps and scoring 34 tries across all competitions. The Wellington-born Hendricks moved back home to Boland in 2024 where he featured in the SA Cup for the union 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 Apart from playing in 12 Tests for the Springboks in 2014 and 2015 and scoring five tries, Hendricks also represented the Springboks Seven team between 2011 and 2014, with whom he won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow in 2014. He was also a member of the Rugby World Cup Sevens squad in Moscow in 2013. Hendricks, who was named Springbok Sevens Player of the Year for 2013, made his senior debut in the colours of Boland 2008, before moving to the Cheetahs in 2012. In total, Hendricks played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 years. 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete who represented his country in sevens and fifteen-man rugby with distinction,' said Mr Alexander. '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 teammates and those around him. 'His contributions to the sport and his unwavering dedication will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Stephaney and their children, his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations.' Weekend Argus
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA Rugby mourns the loss of Cornal Hendricks, a 'remarkable athlete'
FILE - Cornal Hendricks is one of a few players who played for both the Springboks and the Springbok Sevens teams. Image: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix SA Rugby president Mark Alexander paid tribute to 'remarkable athlete' Cornal Hendricks following his passing at the age of 37. Hendricks suffered a heart attack and died and on Wednesday while still in the service of the Boland Cavaliers, who over the weekend qualified for the Currie Cup Premier Division after beating Eastern Province. In 2015 Hendricks was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, a year after making his debut for the Springboks. In 2019 he returned to rugby for the Bulls, earning 115 caps and scoring 34 tries across all competitions. The Wellington-born Hendricks moved back home to Boland in 2024 where he featured in the SA Cup for the union Apart from playing in 12 Tests for the Springboks in 2014 and 2015 and scoring five tries, Hendricks also represented the Springboks Seven team between 2011 and 2014, with whom he won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow in 2014. He was also a member of the Rugby World Cup Sevens squad in Moscow in 2013. Hendricks, who was named Springbok Sevens Player of the Year for 2013, made his senior debut in the colours of Boland 2008, before moving to the Cheetahs in 2012. In total, Hendricks played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 years. 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete who represented his country in sevens and fifteen-man rugby with distinction,' said Mr Alexander. '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 teammates and those around him. 'His contributions to the sport and his unwavering dedication will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Stephaney and their children, his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations.' @JohnGoliath82
The South African
15-05-2025
- Health
- The South African
Springbok wing dies at age 37
Veteran former Springbok speedster Cornal Hendricks has tragically passed away late on Wednesday night. His cause of death is unconfirmed at this stage, but Hendricks, who was just 37 years old, had previously been diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition. Hendricks made his Springbok debut in 2014 and went on to earn 12 Test appearances in which he scored five tries. Before that, he turned out for the Springbok Sevens team and was one of the star players in the Blitzboks side that stormed to a gold medal at 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The right wing started his career with the Boland Cavaliers before moving to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein 2014. In the 2016 season, he signed a two-year deal with Western Province and the Stormers. However, he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and failed to make any appearances for them. After missing that entire season, the Springbok had a deal with French Top 14 giants Toulon also fell through and was eventually forced into a premature retirement at age 27 due to the aforementioned heart condition. However, a determined Hendricks regained his health and fitness to make a remarkable return to professional rugby in 2019 when he signed for the Bulls. 'I was in a dark place after the doctors told me my career was over. I endured physical pain, but sometimes the emotional pain was so bad I would just curl up in bed and refuse to have contact with the outside world, or even speak to my family,' he said at the time. 'I fully understand the risks that go with it as I enter into this contract. I accept such risks,' the Springbok said after signing with the Bulls. 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.
Daily Maverick
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Blitzboks triumph: Siviwe Soyizwapi's remarkable shift from wing to prop fuels World Championship victory
The shift from wing to prop has extended the career of former captain Siviwe Soyizwapi, who has completely changed his game for the betterment of the team. The Blitzboks were down to six men in the World Championship final in Los Angeles in the final two minutes after Zander Reynders was sent to the sin bin for taking a Spanish player out in the air. The match was at a knife-edge at the time with South Africa leading 14-5. In Spain's first attack with the one-player advantage, Mfundo Ndhlovu made a big tackle in midfield before Siviwe Soyizwapi pounced over rapidly to jackal the ball and win a crucial penalty for the Springbok Sevens. In the context of the match, it meant that South Africa could run the clock down before adding another score in the final play of the match to seal a memorable 19-5 win and their first World Championship title. Two years ago, Soyizwapi would have been marking the edge of the field waiting for an opportunity to unleash his explosive pace. Now, he's in the thick of the action, using his power game to effect the result. The move from wing to prop has been a big adjustment for the former captain, who had to pick up three kilogrammes – going from 88kg to 91kg — to help with the adjustment. A long-term knee injury in 2023, which had affected his pace, as well as the emergence of young wingers in the South African Sevens system meant Soyizwapi was left in a tricky situation when he had returned from injury last year. 'When I first heard that I was going to move forward it was quite something to think about,' Soyizwapi told Daily Maverick. 'I spent some time meditating on it. However, I thought whatever is best for the team, I should do that. 'What actually convinced me was that there are really explosive, faster young guys who are coming through who play on the wing, so it would be selfish of me to stay out wide.' Winger Quewin Nortje (22), who came through the SA Sevens system in the last two seasons, is the highest try scorer for the Blitzboks this season. Packing on Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman, who played as prop himself in his playing days, asked Soyizwapi to make the move. 'I remember coach [Philip Snyman] asked me how much I weigh, initially, and I realised that I'm going to have to at least weigh what he weighed when he was still playing,' Soyizwapi said. 'I packed on three kilogrammes, going from 88kg to 91kg. Then I moved to the front row. I felt strong as soon as I put on that weight; in the gym you can push heavier. 'After I hit 91kg I felt confident. I said to the coach: 'I'm ready for the move.' It's the heaviest I've ever been.' The switch in position means the 32-year-old has been given a new lease of life and has extended his career. While he may not be able to beat his man on the outside any more, he can run over him. 'That's the one thing I can say I'm grateful for,' Soyizwapi said. 'At some stage — when you're playing out on the wing — you'll have to make three or four hundred-metre runs, one after the other. To be honest I don't think I can do that any more. 'Moving to the front, using other facets and having a different role, in terms of the physicality and the pressure points and turnovers of the game, definitely extended my career a bit. 'I still feel fast when I run out there. Maybe not as fast as the other guys, but I'm definitely a fast forward.' Changing up Soyizwapi was the leader of the Blitzboks at the time of his injury, a position that has since been taken over by Selvyn Davids. But he remains a core part of the leadership group. 'For us, it's more than saying or talking, it's about leading by example in what we do so the guys know what's allowed and what's not allowed,' he said. 'We are the bridge between what the coaches actually expect culture-wise and gameplan-wise. Not just from the younger guys but from the whole team. We try to spearhead that.' Winning the World Championship in Los Angeles this past weekend was the short-term goal for the team. Their long-term ambition is having the gold medal wrapped around their necks in the same city in 2028 when the Olympic Games hit LA. The Blitzboks sealed a terrific bronze medal in Paris last year. 'It's incredible,' Soyizwapi said on winning the World Championship. 'It's weird that we won it [having won] one tournament because if I'm honest, our season didn't really reflect '2025 series winners'. 'However, for us it was always about where we are as a team. Where were we two years ago and how far are we from getting to where we want to go? 'The final picture is actually LA '28. After this series and this tournament that we just played, I think we took a good step towards LA '28.' Soyizwapi's effective and dramatic switch from wing to prop proves you can teach an old dog new tricks. Tricks that he will look to continue to improve on heading into the next few seasons, with no indication of slowing down despite the false whispers of an imminent retirement. DM
Kuwait Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
S African men, N Zealand women win Rugby Sevens World Championships in LA
S African men, N Zealand women win Rugby Sevens World Championships in LA Season-ending LA event was staged at Dignity Health Sports Park LOS ANGELES: South Africa's men and New Zealand's women captured the Rugby Sevens World Championship 2025 titles on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Springbok Sevens defeated Spain 19-5 in the men's final while New Zealand's Black Ferns—who had already claimed the sevens series title -- added to their trophy haul with a 31-7 victory over Australia in the women's final. The season-ending LA event was staged at Dignity Health Sports Park, which will host rugby sevens at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Black Ferns, the reigning Olympic champions, had sealed first place in the women's regular season standings with a victory at Singapore in April. Argentina—which had clinched the men's World Sevens Series standings with victories in Perth, Vancouver and Hong Kong—fell to Spain 29-5 in the semi-finals, where South Africa dispatched New Zealand 31-5. In the men's final, Selvyn Davids scored a try in the fifth minute and Ronald Brown converted to lift South Africa ahead 7-0 at half-time. Spain's Pol Pla answered with a try in the 10th minute but Juan Ramos missed the conversion kick to keep the Springboks ahead. Mfundo Ndhlovu answered with a try for South Africa and Tristan Leyds converted for a 14-5 lead. South Africa's Zander Reynders received a yellow card but Ricardo Duartee added a try in the final minute to complete the triumph. In the women's final, Jorja Miller scored in the second minute for New Zealand and Michaela Brake added another try in the sixth, Risi Pouri-Lane's conversion making it 12-0 at half-time for the Black Ferns. Mackenzie Davis answered with her sixth try of the event for Australia in the eighth minute and Ruby Nicholas added the conversion, but the Kiwis answered on Pouri-Lane's try and conversion in the 10th minute for a 19-7 edge. Mahina Paul added a try in the 11th minute for the Black Ferns with Pouri-Lane converting and Sarah Hirini added a try in the 13th minute to create the final margin. In the women's semi-finals, Australia routed Canada 33-7 and New Zealand ousted the United States 34-7. — AFP
