An emotional Jaden Hendrikse is focusing on getting back onto the field for the Springboks in the final two World Cup warm-up games against Wales and New Zealand.
Hendrikse was one of the beneficiaries of the Springboks’ surprise decision to take four scrumhalves to the World Cup, having not gotten onto the field for the country this year due to injury and a family tragedy.
After a terrible leg injury brought his debut Test season to a premature end in 2021, Hendrikse bounced back in 2022, with his impressive performances seeing him rewarded with the starting scrumhalf spot.
MORE: Pienaar ‘surprised’ by Boks’ scrumhalf shock
However, a shoulder injury that required surgery, combined with the tragic death of his father, saw Hendrikse’s World Cup plan put to the side as he left the Bok squad to return home to be with his family.
Speaking after being named in the squad that will travel to France to defend the world title, the 23-year-old said he was keen to get back in action for South Africa, starting with the remaining warm-up games against Wales and New Zealand.
“Hopefully we’ll see in the first game I get to play,” Hendrikse told Sport24, when asked about how he is shaping up for the World Cup.
“But I’m super-excited, I’m like a young kid who wants to get on the field, play and enjoy himself.”
Hendrikse said his heart is broken that his late father, Brian, a former footballer from Cape Town, would not get to see him play at the World Cup.
“It was very emotional for me when I got the news. There are no words for it other than to say I was down – I was super, super down.
“He taught my brother [Lions flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse] and me the key things of sport: discipline, being a true professional, enjoying what you do but also working hard. He always told us to enjoy what we did but to always work hard – he was my hero.”
Photo: Twitter/@Springboks
