- Cornal Hendricks had received a diagnosis of serious heart disease in 2016
- But the back made a miraculous return to the field with blue bulls on the Pretoria side
- Springboks captain Siya Kolisi was one of those who pay tribute to him
The Rugby Star in South Africa, Cornal Hendricks, died at the age of 37 after the former professional underwent a heart attack on Wednesday evening.
The former Despringboks was in professional competition until last year for his club, the Bulls, Hendricks playing his last match against Northampton Saints in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup in 2024.
The director general of the club, Edgar Rathbone, shared a poignant statement on Thursday in tribute to his former player, describing why Hendricks had been an “emblematic teammate” to those who had played with him.
“We are deeply saddened and always try to reconcile with the death of Cornal, a member of the Loftus family who was more than a talented player,” said Rathbone.
“He knew how to deliver roughly the good dose of energy to help lift a room, he was an emblematic teammate, a friend for many seasons and an inspiring figure in the locker room.
“A brother, a son and an inspiration for old and young people. A man with such a contagious smile who brightened our world, and above all, we knew Cornal as a proud father of his young children.
Cornal Hendricks died at 37 after having undergone a major heart attack on Wednesday
The former rugby veteran of South Africa had played until last year with Pretoria support bulls
Hendricks returned with the Bulls in 2019 after having moved away from the game for health reasons in 2016
“We offer our sincere condolences to his family, his wife, children and all the others who are affected by his premature and tragic death. A special player who has challenged all the chances and has become our inspiration for everyone, that he rests in peace.
Before joining the Bulls in 2019, Hendricks presented for the Cheetahs for the 2014-15 season, after starting his career at Boland Cavaliers in 2008.
But a move to the Western province and the Stormers in 2016 was mentioned after Hendricks was diagnosed with a serious heart disease that saw the doctors adviser to the then leaving rugby.
In a miraculous return to the field in 2019, Hendricks helped the Pretoria side at a period of Renaissance under Jack White, the director of rugby describing his second act as “remarkable”.
“We were all witnesses not to leave any non-returned stone when he inspired his teammates and the South African community through his story of hope and courage,” said White after the death of Hendricks.
The player won 12 ceilings for the national team (photo in 2014) as well as for their team at seven
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi was one of those who pay tribute on social networks to Hendricks
“It was a privilege and an honor to have been his coach, a fantastic model for the next generation and his appetite for life was contagious. Rugby has lost one of the vouchers.
Hendricks was also out of competition for his national team in Sevens, winning gold medals at the World Games in 2013 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
The player presented 12 times for the Springboks, and their captain Siya Kolisi was one of those who pay tribute to Hendricks on Thursday.
“Rest in Peace Frère,” published Kolisi on Instagram Stories on a photo of Hendricks in the national Kit team.
