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RUGBYU-SUPER-BULLS-HENDRICKS
Former Bok Hendricks back in Super Rugby after heart scare
BUENOS AIRES, Feb 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Former Springbok Cornal Hendricks
debuts for the Northern Bulls in Super Rugby this Saturday, four years after
being told not to play again because of a heart condition.
Winger Hendricks replaces meningitis victim Johnny Kotze for a second-round
clash with the Jaguares in the only change from the team that thrashed
Western Stormers last weekend.
For Hendricks, 30, the match at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires
represents light at the end of the tunnel after fearing he would never again
play the sport he loves.
Hendricks played Super Rugby for the Central Cheetahs, debuted for the
Springboks in 2014 and was set to play for the Western Stormers when doctors
warned him to quit the game.
“I cannot tell you exactly what was wrong with my heart, but the medical
message to me was crystal clear — stop playing rugby or face the possibility
of cardiac arrest,” he told AFP.
“Those were unbelievably dark days. I had played for the BlitzBokke
(national sevens team) and had hoped to be part of the team for the 2016 Rio
Olympic Games.
“Instead, I stayed at my home, severely depressed, and could not bear to
watch those I once played alongside as they competed in Brazil.
“I continued to train, but motivating myself was extremely difficult
because I felt all the hard work I was putting in had no purpose.”
Hendricks believed he could play top-level rugby again and got support from
former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer, who took the team to third place at
the 2015 World Cup.
“Heyneke and (my agent) Anthony Johnson never gave up hope and after
playing some sevens, club and exhibition rugby, the Bulls gave me a contract
after I underwent tests last year.”
– Familiarity –
When Kotze was ruled out of the Jaguares match, recently appointed Bulls
coach Pote Human had to choose between Hendricks, Divan Rossouw and Jade
Stighling.
He opted for Hendricks, who has played three warm-up matches for the Bulls
reserve teams, because of his greater experience and familiarity with
Argentine conditions.
Golden Lions coach Swys de Bruin said the ball resembled a “bar of soap” so
hot and humid were the conditions when they defeated the Jaguares in Buenos
Aires last weekend.
“We are banking on the experience Cornal gained before his lay-off,” said
Human. “He is very positive ahead of the match.
“When I told him he was in the starting line-up, he said: ‘I will not let
you down’. Hearing those words excited me.”
Hendricks and his team-mates are desperate to build on the 40-3 walloping
of the Stormers in Pretoria.
Last season, the Bulls made a similarly spectacular start, shocking the
Wellington Hurricanes, then lost four consecutive matches and finished 12th
of 15 teams.
“We played near-perfect rugby last weekend,” said Human, promoted from
number two when New Zealander John Mitchell was appointed England defence
coach.
“Now we need to keep our feet planted on the ground and start all over
again. The Jaguares will be desperate for a win after losing their first
match at home to the Lions.”
The Bulls need only check the 2018 results to realise the task ahead —
they conceded 54 points and seven tries in a 30-point hiding in Argentina.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0809 hrs