Cornal Hendricks
{{short description|South African rugby union player (1988–2025)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Cornal Hendricks
| image = Cornal Hendricks 2021.jpg
| caption = Hendricks playing in 2021
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1988|04|18|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|05|14|1988|04|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = Paarl, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.88}}
| weight = {{cvt|95|kg|lb stlb}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Bergrivier High School, Wellington
| university =
| relatives =
| position = Wing/Inside centre
| currentclub = {{Rut|Bulls}} / {{Rut|Blue Bulls}}
| youthyears1 = 2007–2008
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| years1 = 2008–2012
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| apps1 = 68
| points1 = 135
| years2 = 2014–2015
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Cheetahs}}
| apps2 = 27
| points2 = 55
| years3 = 2014–2015
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}
| apps3 = 1
| points3 = 0
| years4 = 2019–2024
| clubs4 = {{Rut|Bulls}}
| apps4 = 72
| points4 = 75
| years5 = 2019
| clubs5 = {{Rut|Blue Bulls XV}}
| apps5 = 1
| points5 = 5
| years6 = 2019–2024
| clubs6 = {{Rut|Blue Bulls}}
| apps6 = 42
| points6 = 90
| repyears1 = 2012–2014
| repteam1 = South Africa Sevens
| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
| repyears2 = 2012
| repteam2 = South African Barbarians (South)
| repcaps2 = 1
| reppoints2 = 0
| repyears3 = 2014–2015
| repteam3 = {{nrut|South Africa}}
| repcaps3 = 12
| reppoints3 = 25
| repyears4 = 2014
| repteam4 = Springbok XV
| repcaps4 = 1
| reppoints4 = 0
| clubupdate = 23 July 2022
| repupdate = 25 July 2015
| medals =
{{MedalSport | Men's rugby sevens }}
{{MedalCountry | {{RSA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | World Games }}
{{MedalGold | 2013 Cali | Team competition }}
{{MedalCompetition | Commonwealth Games }}
{{MedalGold | 2014 Glasgow | Team competition }}
}}
Cornal Hendricks (18 April 1988 – 14 May 2025){{cite news |last1=Venter |first1=Koos |title=Shock and disbelief in rugby community after sudden death of Cornal Hendricks |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/sports-news/local-sports/2025/05/14/shock-and-disbelief-in-rugby-community-after-sudden-death-of-cornal-hendricks/ |access-date=15 May 2025 |agency=Pretoria Rekord |date=15 May 2025}} was a South African rugby union player for the {{Rut|Bulls}} in Super Rugby, the {{Rut|Blue Bulls}} in the Currie Cup and the {{Rut|Blue Bulls XV}} in the Rugby Challenge.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=42062 | name=Cornal Hendricks | date=30 May 2016}} His regular position was wing. He died on 14 May 2025 of a suspected heart attack.
Personal life and death
Hendricks was born and raised in Paarl, Wellington, Western Cape, South Africa, in a poor area called Hillcrest.{{Cite web |last=Village |first=Youth |date=2014-10-16 |title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Cornal Hendricks |url=https://youthvillage.co.za/2014/10/10-things-didnt-know-cornal-hendricks/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Youth Village |language=en-US}} He came from a rugby-playing family. His father, brother, and grandfather all played, and his mother was a significant influence.{{Cite web |last=Kupiso |first=Lunga |date=2022-04-06 |title=Cornal Hendricks Is All Heart For The Game He Loves - Vodacom Bulls |url=https://bullsrugby.co.za/cornal-hendricks-is-all-heart-for-the-game-he-loves/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |language=en-ZA}} He attended Bergrivier Hoërskool, a lesser-known school, and was not selected for prestigious youth tournaments like Craven Week, yet fought his way into Boland's under-21 and senior teams.{{Cite web |title=CORNAL HENDRICKS: The fighter with the biggest heart and a bigger smile, dies at 37 |url=https://supersport.com/rugby/general/news/b2e98060-a432-4d0e-ab4a-75bdb68b0975/cornal-hendricks-the-fighter-with-the-biggest-heart-and-a-bigger-smile-dies-at-37}}
He died of a heart attack on 14 May 2025.{{cite news |title=South African rugby mourns death of Cornal Hendricks at 37 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250515-south-african-rugby-mourns-death-of-cornal-hendricks-at-37 |access-date=15 May 2025 |work=France 24 |date=15 May 2025}} He was married to Stephaney, and they had two children.{{Cite web |last=Ridley |first=Nathan |date=2025-05-15 |title=Rugby star dies aged just 37 as heartbroken team-mates pay tribute |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/breaking-cornal-hendricks-dead-springboks-35228682 |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=The Mirror |language=en}} Hendricks was deeply religious, crediting his faith for helping him through his health struggles and emotional challenges.{{Cite web |last=Rugby |first=Tiger |date=2020-05-23 |title=Cornal Hendricks Story |url=https://www.tigerrugby.com/post/cornal-hendricks-story |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Tiger Rugby |language=en}}
Career
=Boland Cavaliers=
Hendricks represented local team {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}} through various underage competitions and graduated to the first team.
Hendricks made his first team debut for Boland against the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} in the 2008 Currie Cup Premier Division season.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=15727 | homeid=6879 | awayid=6877 | leagueid=631 | hometeam=Boland Kavaliers | homescore=10 | awayscore=15 | awayteam=Vodacom FS Cheetahs | matchdate=2 August 2008 | date=1 July 2016}} He remained a first team regular for them over the next five seasons.
=Cheetahs / Free State Cheetahs=
Hendricks signed a contract with the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} to join them for the 2014 season,{{cite web | url=http://www.beeld.com/sport/2013-10-23-blitsbok-hendricks-word-cheetah | title=Blitsbok Hendricks word Cheetah | publisher=Beeld | work=Media24 | date=23 October 2013 | access-date=23 October 2013 | language=af | archive-date=29 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201930/http://www.beeld.com/sport/2013-10-23-blitsbok-hendricks-word-cheetah | url-status=dead }} having previously agreed a deal with them for 2013,{{cite web |url=http://www.suparugby.com/pages/Default.asp?More=%20-%2030%20August%202012&FeatureID=19774&SectionID=36 |date=30 August 2012 |publisher=suparugby.com |title=Al die Cheetah-aanwinste |access-date=30 August 2012 }} but failed to play for them in 2013 due to his South Africa Sevens commitments.
Hendricks was included in the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season{{cite press release | url=http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/News.aspx?newsid=2432 | title=Toyota Cheetahs kondig groep aan vir 2014 Vodacom SupeRugby seisoen | publisher=Cheetahs | date=7 February 2014 | access-date=7 February 2014 | language=af}} and made his debut – also scoring a try – in a 21–20 defeat to the {{Rut|Lions}} in Bloemfontein.{{cite web | url=http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/match-centre/?season=2014&competition=205&match=514011 | title=Match Centre: Cheetahs v Lions | publisher=SANZAR | date=15 February 2014 | access-date=15 February 2014}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113674 | homeid=16144 | awayid=16154 | leagueid=1574 | hometeam=Toyota Cheetahs | homescore=20 | awayscore=21 | awayteam=Lions | matchdate=15 February 2014 | date=1 July 2016}}
=Stormers / Western Province=
Hendricks returned to the Western Cape for the 2016 season, signing a two-year deal with {{Rut|Western Province}} and the {{Rut|Stormers}}.{{cite web | url=http://www.supersport.com/rugby/sa-rugby/news/150715/Bok_Cornal_also_signs_for_WP | title=Bok Cornal also signs for WP | work=SuperSport | date=15 July 2015 | access-date=15 July 2015}} However, he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and failed to make any appearances for them.{{cite news | url=http://ewn.co.za/2016/06/30/Hendricks-confident-of-overcoming-heart-condition | title=Bok Hendricks confident of overcoming heart condition | work=EyeWitness News | date=30 June 2016 | access-date=8 December 2016}}
=Toulon=
In December 2016, French Top 14 side {{Rut|Toulon}} announced the signing of Hendricks until the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite press release | url=http://www.rctoulon.com/news/article/cornal-hendricks-vient-renforcer-les-lignes-arrieres | title=Cornal Hendricks vient renforcer les lignes arrières | publisher=Toulon Rugby | date=8 December 2016 | access-date=8 December 2016 | language=fr | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208184346/http://www.rctoulon.com/news/article/cornal-hendricks-vient-renforcer-les-lignes-arrieres | archive-date=8 December 2016 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} However, a few weeks after announcing this deal, Toulon stated that he would not join the team after all.{{cite press release | url=http://www.rctoulon.com/news/article/cornal-hendricks-ne-portera-pas-les-couleurs-toulonnaises | title=Cornal Hendricks ne portera pas les couleurs toulonnaises | publisher=Toulon Rugby | date=6 January 2017 | access-date=6 January 2017 | language=fr}}
=Representative rugby=
Hendricks was also a member of the South Africa Sevens team during the 2011–12 and 2012–13 IRB Sevens World Series.{{SA Rugby Article | id=1610204 | leagueid=1014 | title=Two new caps in SA squad for Gold Coast Sevens | date=4 October 2012 | access-date=6 June 2016 | url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1610204&leagueid=1014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607175928/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1610204&leagueid=1014 | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 June 2016}} In 2013, he was included in the squad for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens.{{SA Rugby Article | id=1982634 | leagueid=1474 | title=Kyle Brown back to command Springbok Sevens for Mission Moscow | date=20 June 2013 | access-date=6 June 2016 | url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1982634&leagueid=1474 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607175948/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1982634&leagueid=1474 | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 June 2016}}
In May 2014, Hendricks was one of eight uncapped players that were called up to a Springbok training camp prior to the 2014 mid-year rugby union tests.{{SA Rugby Article | id=2449174 | leagueid=1674 | title=Springbok training squad for Durban camp named | date=19 May 2014 | access-date=6 June 2016 | url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=2449174&leagueid=1674 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607175936/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=2449174&leagueid=1674 | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 June 2016}}
Hendricks made his debut on 14 June 2014 for the Springboks against Wales in Durban.
Honours
Springbok statistics
= Test Match Record =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; line-height:90%; font-size:95%; width:100%;" | ||||||||||
| style="width:17%; font-size:90%;" | Against
! abbr="Played" style="width:25px; font-size:90%;" | Pld ! abbr="Won" style="width:20px; font-size:90%;" | W ! abbr="Drawn" style="width:20px; font-size:90%;" | D ! abbr="Lost" style="width:20px; font-size:90%;" | L ! abbr="Tries" style="width:30px; font-size:90%;" | Tri ! abbr="Conversions" style="width:30px; font-size:90%;" | Con ! abbr="Penalties" style="width:30px; font-size:90%;" | Pen ! abbr="Penalties" style="width:30px; font-size:90%;" | DG ! abbr="Points" style="width:28px; font-size:90%;" | Pts ! abbr="Won" style="width:28px; font-size:90%;" | %Won | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor="#d0ffd0" align="center" | ||||||||||
| align="left" | {{ru|ARG}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|5}} | {{center|{{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|AUS}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|5}} | {{center|{{#expr:1/2*100 round 2}}}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|IRE}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|{{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}}}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|NZL}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|5}} | {{center|{{#expr:1/2*100 round 2}}}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|SCO}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}}} |
| align="left" | {{ru|WAL}} | {{center|3}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|0}} | {{center|10}} | {{center|{{#expr:2/3*100 round 2}}}} |
| Total || 11 || 7 || 0 || 4 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 25 || {{#expr:7/11*100 round 2}} |
Pld = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, Tri = Tries Scored, Con = Conversions, Pen = Penalties, DG = Drop Goals, Pts = Points Scored
= International Tries =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%" | ||||||
| Try | Opposing team | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | {{ru|WAL}} | Durban, South Africa | Kings Park | Mid-year rugby test series | {{dts|format=dmy|2014|June|14}} | Won 38-16 |
| 2 | {{ru|WAL}} | Nelspruit, South Africa | Mbombela Stadium | Mid-year rugby test series | {{dts|format=dmy|2014|June|21}} | Won 31-30 |
| 3 | {{ru|ARG}} | Salta, Argentina | Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena | 2014 Rugby Championship | {{dts|format=dmy|2014|August|23}} | Won 33-31 |
| 4 | {{ru|AUS}} | Perth, Australia | Patersons Stadium | 2014 Rugby Championship | {{dts|format=dmy|2014|September|6}} | Lost 23-24 |
| 5 | {{ru|NZL}} | Wellington, New Zealand | Westpac Stadium | 2014 Rugby Championship | {{dts|format=dmy|2014|September|13}} | Lost 10-14 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{World Rugby Sevens Series profile|mens/46572}}
{{Bulls squad}}
{{Blue Bulls squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Squads
| list1 =
{{2014 South Africa Commonwealth Games Sevens squad}}
{{2013 South Africa World Games squad}}
{{2013 South Africa Rugby World Cup Sevens squad}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hendricks, Cornal}}
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:South Africa international rugby union players
Category:Boland Cavaliers players
Category:Cheetahs (rugby union) players
Category:Rugby union players from Paarl
Category:South Africa international rugby sevens players
Category:Rugby sevens players at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for South Africa
Category:Commonwealth Games rugby sevens players for South Africa
Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in rugby sevens
Category:World Games gold medalists for South Africa
Category:World Games medalists in rugby sevens
Category:Free State Cheetahs players
Category:Bulls (rugby union) players
Category:Medallists at the 2014 Commonwealth Games