Working his way back from a long-term injury, Jordan Hendrikse is driven to put it all together and win silverware next season. DYLAN JACK reports.
Hendrikse’s season was brought to an end in January, when he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. It was the second lengthy injury layoff that the young playmaker has suffered in his career, as he spent three months out with a fractured ankle in the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship season in 2021.
Speaking to SARugbymag.co.za, Hendrikse said that he expects to be cleared to return to full training between the end of June and first week of July. This means that he won’t likely return in time to play for the Lions in the Currie Cup, but will be able to resume pre-season preparations for the next Vodacom URC campaign.
“For me it is all about staying process-driven through it all,” Hendrikse told SARugbymag.co.za. “Each week has a process that you need to follow and work hard on to succeed in that week.
“Also, staying positive and mentally healthy and happy. That’s the biggest thing on this journey that you face. Staying mentally tough through it all because it is so easy to give up in that moment. That can just prolong your recovery and time away from the field. Focusing on stuff besides sport also helps. It’s the perfect time for you to work on things off the field and enjoy your life a bit.”
Time away from the field has given Hendrikse valuable family time as he has been able to catch up with his older brother, Jaden, who ironically also suffered a shoulder injury while playing for the Sharks in the Champions Cup round of 16.
“We have always been supportive of each other,” Jordan said of his brother. “We actually just came back from home, visiting family, putting some time towards catching up. It’s not every day that I can see him. When we do see each other, we cherish those moments.
“We have been pushing each other, explaining the processes, things we need to be careful about in terms of movements. I’ve been sharing the knowledge about what I have. But it’s also just nice to catch up with each other, because now our schedules are busy.”
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Still just 21 years old, Hendrikse has enjoyed a rapid rise to emerge as one of the country’s premier playmakers as he contemplates what will be his third season as a senior player.
He explains that, with two seasons of URC experience to his name, he now wants to become more consistent and play a leading role in helping his team win silverware next season.
“What’s driving me is definitely stepping up from last season in terms of things I want to work on with my game. I have been able to experience different styles, different conditions, different fields and how I incorporate that into my game.
“The biggest thing is making the step up. You were spoken about in previous seasons, but now it’s time to stand out and continue stepping up, producing world-class performances every week and being consistent in what you do.
“You don’t want those lumps of good games and then a couple of bad games. You want that consistency in every game. Having the experience of two seasons gives me the upper hand because into the third season, you have played against most teams and on most fields. You have adapted and now its about executing everything.
“You know your opposition and what to expect. Now it’s about standing out and performing. With that comes winning silverware, making playoffs, consistency and lifting a trophy.”
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