Cameron Hanekom says the daily battle of recovering from a serious hamstring injury made him mentally stronger. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
When Hanekom began the week, he was thrilled to discover he would be on the bench for the Boks after a harrowing injury-enforced break since his debut cap in 2024.
By the end of it, he had been elevated to the starting XV after injuries to Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi.
The 24-year-old made it count on Saturday, producing his trademark muscular display, all controlled violence and vigour.
Playing at seven, he did his primary job of getting in England faces and tackling. Hard. And when he was done, he did it again. And again. Until he was yanked off, exhausted.
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It was a long time coming for the one-time prodigy, who spent the months away from playing working in the gym, living up to his reputation as a rugby obsessive.
Hanekom admits the toughest battles were not physical, but psychological.
“It all happened so fast,” he says. “Mentally, I grew a lot. That’s the biggest challenge when you’re injured. Looking too far into the future doesn’t help you in the present, so it was about getting better every single day.
“I thought my career was basically over at that time. It was heartbreaking. But going through rehab, with bumps and bruises and good and bad days, made me stronger mentally. You learn to fight through everything and just keep getting back up.”
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That resilience has become a defining part of his outlook. Hanekom speaks openly about the mindset required to succeed at the highest level.
“You have to be obsessed with what you do,” he says. “Obsession beats talent. If you get knocked down seven times, you get up eight. You just keep going.”
Despite the setbacks, he has retained perspective, leaning on family and the support structure around him.
“I’ve got four brothers. We all love rugby,” he says. “That bond keeps me grounded. They support me and I support them.”
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Now back in the national set-up, Hanekom is focused on making the most of every opportunity in a highly competitive loose forward group.
“That’s life,” he says. “You set your goals and work as hard as you can. Seeing guys like Jasper Wiese perform at that level, you learn from them and try to become better.”
With his preferred role at No 8 but the versatility to cover across the back row, Hanekom’s ambition is clear.
“I’m playing with guys I’ve looked up to my whole life, it’s surreal,” he says. “I just want to give everything for the team and contribute as much as I can.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Getty Images
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Cameron Hanekom says the daily battle of recovering from a serious hamstring injury made him mentally stronger.
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