Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone says Cornal Hendricks was determined to play rugby again after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition in 2015.
The former Springbok wing passed away on Wednesday night after suffering a heart attack at his Wellington home.
Hendricks earned 12 Test caps in 2014 and 2015, and was set to move from the Cheetahs to Western Province and the Stormers before his heart diagnosis. It also prevented him from joining French club Toulon.
However, he continued to play for boyhood club Roses United until the Bulls threw him a rugby lifeline in 2019.
“For him to live out his passion is a great thing. For us to take credit for that would be wrong,” Rathbone told reporters on Thursday. “Knowing the person that Cornal was, he would have found a way to live out his passion, whether it was with the Bulls or somewhere else.
“He had such a strong will to play, even club rugby. That would have been enough for him.”
Playing mostly in the midfield, Hendricks went on to earn 115 caps for the Bulls across all competitions, scoring 34 tries, during his five-year stay in Pretoria. He left the union in September last year, and made three appearances for Boland in this year’s SA Cup.
Hendricks was reportedly set to retire as a player and take up a coaching role at the Bulls. Rathbone said they had lost “a beloved member of our family”.
He added: “Cornal will always be remembered as a guy who had a hell of a lot of energy, always up for a joke. He was the heart and soul of this team.
“Cornal will be missed, he was always the same person whether he was selected or not. It’s a great example for younger players. He will be missed, but he won’t be forgotten.
“Cornal embodied the spirit of what rugby should be. He played with a smile on his face, and that must never be forgotten.”
ALSO: Tributes pour in for dedicated Bok ‘with a smile’
Rathbone sent the Bulls’ condolences to Hendricks’ wife, Stephaney, and their children.
“I don’t think there are words that can console them at this time. We are in discussions with the family and our shareholders about how we can support them.
“Cornal left us in September last year, and he and [Bulls fullback] Devon [Williams] were still running soup kitchens in Pretoria.”
Forever in our hearts
Rest in peace 🪽 pic.twitter.com/CbN1CJXJSO
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 15, 2025
Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/X
The post ‘Cornal had such a strong will to play’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone says Cornal Hendricks was determined to play rugby again after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition in 2015.
The post ‘Cornal had such a strong will to play’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
