RIP | Cornal Hendricks's FULL Springbok Test history

RIP | Cornal Hendricks’s FULL Springbok Test history

The South African rugby community woke on Thursday to the shocking news of the passing of Cornal Hendricks.

Rest in peace Cornal Hendricks. Image: Via Bulls.

The South African rugby community woke on Thursday to the shocking news of the passing of Cornal Hendricks.

He was 37.

Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, paid tribute to the former dual-international who wore the green and gold with distinction.

Hendricks passed away due to heart attack on Wednesday evening.

Apart from playing in 12 Tests for the Springboks in 2014 and 2015, he also represented the Blitzboks between 2011 and 2014, with whom he won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow in 2014.

He was also a member of the Rugby World Cup Sevens squad in Moscow in 2013.

Cornal Hendricks.

Cornal Hendricks, who was named Springbok Sevens Player of the Year for 2013, made his senior debut in the colours of the Boland Kavaliers, which is also where his career concluded after his last game for Boland in the SA Cup earlier this year.

He also represented the Cheetahs and Bulls with distinction in Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship (URC), as well as in the light blue jersey in the Currie Cup finals of 2020 and 2021, both won by the men from Pretoria.

12 Tests for the Springboks

Apart from his 12 Tests, in which he scored five tries, Hendricks played one non-Test match for Boks and also ran out in the colours of the SA ‘A’ team.

In total, Cornal Hendricks played 233 first-class matches in a career spanning 17 years.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Cornal Hendricks, a remarkable athlete who represented his country in sevens and XV-man rugby with distinction,” said Alexander.

“Cornal was one of those players who loved the game and he worked extremely hard, but he always did so with a smile on his face, treating all people with respect. His energy and love of life, on and off the field, lifted his team-mates and those around him.

“His contributions to the sport and his unwavering dedication will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Stephaney and their children, his family, friends, and team-mates during this difficult time. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations.”

PROFILE

Full names: Cornal Hendricks

Date of birth: 18 April 1988

Place of birth: Paarl

School: Berg Rivier

Springbok no: #855

Springbok debut province: Cheetahs

Physical: 1.89m, 90kg

Date of death: 14 May 2025 (Age 37)

Test summary: Tests: 12 Tries: 5

First Test: 14 June 2014 – Right wing against Wales at Kings Park, Durban

Last Test: 25 July 2015 – Right wing against New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Score
14 June 2014	Wales	Kings Park, Durban	Won 38-16	1 try
21 June 2014	Wales	Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit	Won 31-30	1 try
28 June 2014	Scotland	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth	Won 55-6
16 Aug 2014	Argentina	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria	Won 13-6
23 Aug 2014	Argentina	Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta	Won 33-31	1 try
6 Sept 2014	Australia	Subiaco Oval, Perth	Lost 24-23	1 try
13 Sept 2014	New Zealand	Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington	Lost 14-10	1 try
27 Sept 2014	Australia	Newlands, Cape Town	Won 28-10
4 Oct 2014	New Zealand	Ellis Park, Johannesburg	Won 27-25
8 Nov 2014	Ireland	Aviva Stadium, Dublin	Lost 29-15
29 Nov 2014	Wales	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff	Lost 12-6
25 July 2015	New Zealand	Ellis Park, Johannesburg	Lost 27-20