Jaden Hendrikse is thrilled about making his World Cup debut on Sunday against Romania, an opportunity the Springbok scrumhalf didn’t expect this year.
Hendrikse was one of the beneficiaries of the Boks’ decision to take four scrumhalves to France, having been limited to just one Test in 2023 due to injury and a family tragedy.
He has been named as the impact scrumhalf in a heavily changed match-day 23 to face the Oaks in Bordeaux, and the 23-year-old cannot wait to take the field.
“I’m very excited to represent my country on Sunday,” he said. “This is my first Rugby World Cup match, and it is an honour and privilege to be here, so I just want to go out there and do my best.
“I certainly didn’t think I would be here a few years ago. All the sacrifices, dedication, and hard work in the last few years lead to where I am now, so personally I am really looking forward to this opportunity.”
The Boks face the massive task of trying to defend the title they won in Japan in 2019 in the global spectacle, but Hendrikse said simply being part of the squad was something to cherish.
“In 2019 when the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Grant [Williams] and I were at the Rovers College in Durban watching the match, so it is a surreal feeling to be here and to be part of this World Cup,” he added.
Looking ahead at Sunday’s round two encounter against Romania, Hendrikse believes it would certainly not be a walk in the park.
“Romania are a very physical team, and they are playing for their country, so they are going to play with passion and pride,” he said. “We are expecting a good battle and we’ll have to be ready for it physically and mentally.”
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