Celebrating life and legacy: Late Springbok Cornal Hendricks' funeral arrangements

Late Springboks wing Cornal Hendricks will be laid to rest on Sunday following his shock passing last week.

The 37-year-old Hendricks suffered a heart attack, 10 years after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition that saw him miss four years of professional rugby.

Hendricks made his Springboks debut in 2014, playing 12 Tests and scoring five tries, which included a memorable score against the All Blacks in 2014 when he cut their defences to shreds.

After the diagnosis in 2015, doctors advised Hendricks to quit the game. But Hendricks still wanted to keep playing and sought a second opinion.

After four years in the wilderness, Hendricks was given a lifeline by the Bulls. A couple of years later, he won the Covid-19 influenced Super Rugby Unlocked title and the Currie Cup with the Bulls, winning the player of the tournament for the latter competition in the 2021-22 season.

In 2022, Hendricks was close to Springbok selection after playing a starring role for Jake White’s team at inside centre. However, he was left out of the squad after then-Bok coach Jacques Nienaber confirmed that the SA Rugby medical team had not given him the “green light” for selection.

After leaving the Bulls in 2024, earning 115 caps and scoring 34 tries across all competitions, Hendricks’ rugby journey came full circle after starting his career in Wellington where he grew up.

However, he was advised to stop playing in March during Boland’s run to the SA Cup semi-finals after complaining of fatigue and shortness of breath.

Many have paid tributes to Hendricks over the last week, with the Bulls having a moment of silence and a minute’s applause in the 14th minute of their match against the Dragons.

The Sharks also had Hendricks' face and the number 14 on the back of their warm-up jerseys ahead of their match against Scarlets last Saturday.

This week there will be two memorial services before Hendricks’ funeral on Sunday.

Boland will host a memorial service on Thursday at Boland Stadium in Wellington, while another memorial service will take place at CRC Paarl on Friday.

Hendriks’ funeral service will be at the NG Kerk Moedergemeente, Main Road, Wellington, on Sunday.

Memorial services and funeral arrangements for the Cornal Hendricks:

Thursday, May 22: Memorial Service, 12pm,, Boland Rugby Stadium, Fontein Street, Wellington.

Friday, May 23: Memorial Service, 6pm, CRC Paarl, Jan Van Riebeeck Dr, Denneburg, Paarl.

Sunday May 25: Funeral Service, 12pm, NG Kerk Moedergemeente, Main Road, Wellington.

@JohnGoliath82