Tributes pour in for dedicated Bok ‘with a smile’

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Messages of support and condolences have poured in from the rugby world for former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks, who died of a heart attack on Wednesday.

SARU president Mark Alexander paid tribute to Hendricks, who played 12 Tests (scoring five tries) and won a Commonwealth Games gold medal with the South African sevens team in Glasgow in 2014. He was 37.

“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 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.”

Hendricks featured prominently for the Boks in 2014 and 2015, after first representing the Blitzboks between 2011 and 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 professional debut with Boland, where his career ended after his last game for the Kavaliers in the SA Cup earlier this year.

He also represented the Cheetahs and Vodacom Bulls in Super Rugby and the URC, and won back-to-back Currie Cups with the Herd in 2020 and 2021.

Hendricks played one non-Test match for Boks (against a World XV side in 2014) and ran out in the colours of the SA ‘A’ team over the course of a 233 first-class match career that spanned 17 years.

Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

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