Bulls mourn, defend their choice to give Hendricks a "second chance"

As the Vodacom Bulls mourned the loss of their former teammate, Springbok Cornal Hendricks, who died on Wednesday night at the age of 37, they also moved to squash any rumours that they acted inappropriately in giving him a second chance after he was diagnosed with a rare heart disorder.

Hendricks, who played 12 tests for the Springboks, died at his home in Wellington on Wednesday night of a suspected heart attack.

It seemed that Hendricks had been washing dishes after dinner with his wife Stephaney when he complained that he wasn’t feeling well. He then went outside, where he collapsed, and later died.

Hendricks had a career that saw him fight his way to the top, had it taken away from him when he was diagnosed with the heart ailment and then reignited when he refused to give up on his dream to play professional rugby.

But there were a number of eyebrows raised when he re-emerged at the Bulls in 2019 and was offered a contract by them.

Hendricks, who had fought to get back to the top, was given a second lease on the game he loved and he played over 100 games for the Bulls before deciding last September to return to his home in Boland rugby and help them try and qualify for the Currie Cup, which they did a week ago.

While Hendricks had medical insurance to play, he had certain conditions waived, and had to accept responsibility for the chance to play again. The Bulls put him through several tests and consulted physicians before they signed him, and had a yearly check up on his heart with Cardiologist Dr Wouter Basson.

Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone was asked about signing Hendricks, even though it happened before he arrived at Loftus, and said there was never a worry about his health.

“No, look, I need to state categorically that it was at that stage we got medical advice from Dr. Wouter Basson and we got that on a yearly basis as well to get him cleared,” Rathbone said.

“And the reality always was that rugby won't make it worse, but there will always be an issue with his heart - whether he plays rugby or whether he doesn't play rugby - it could have an impact in the long term.”

Rathbone added that it was never a concern in the team environment and Hendricks followed the medical advice.

“No, not at all, not at all. Look, these things obviously happen and there is no perfect time for it to happen. But Cornal lived for the game and as close as the Bulls were to his heart, his chance to go back to Boland and help them get into the Currie Cup, was probably a good thing for him.”

Rathbone said that the Bulls team were understandably shaken, having known and loved Hendricks and that the training session on Wednesday ahead of their game against the Dragons was being cut short to give players time to grieve.

“This is probably by far the toughest press conference I've had to do in my career. We've lost a loved member of our family. Listening to your stories while you're sitting here, I think Cornal will always be remembered for a guy that had a hell of a lot of energy,

“Always up for a joke. He was for very long, he was the heart and soul of this team. I mean, he basically trademarked the war cry that is the team’s cry today. I mean, I got a little emotional when the team actually did it again today before training because it brings back so many memories. Not to talk even about him doing the Amabielie (the team song the team do after a win) after a Bulls win and the passion he had there.

“But today alll the messages we get from all over, he was such a loved person by everybody. I don't think anybody in this room or outside can say anything bad about Cornal. That's testimony to the person he is.”

Rathbone said he had a chat with Hendricks a week ago about a possible coaching role at the Bulls after rugby “because we know what he can add. So it's with great shock that the news came this morning.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with Stephaney, his wife, and the three kids. I don't think there's words that can console them at this time. I think we can just show our respect to them as a family and the person that Cornal was.

“He will be unbelievably missed. And just the way Cornel was always the same person, whether he was selected or not. I remember a video. It was sent on the team’s whatsapp group the morning of the match against the Stormers last year, which was a sold out match. And he was in his yard without a shirt, and he dumped water over himself, then he did the Amabielie with so much passion. That showed what he was like as a person.”

An emotional Rathbone said there was a “great sadness” over Loftus Versfeld.

“It's great sadness. There was a somber mood around the camp this morning. We had a light training session this morning and the rest of the day will be off. I think it's very hard for anybody to focus at this stage with the news only breaking this morning. So I think we'll regroup and take it again tomorrow. I think it makes you realise, again, there's bigger things than rugby.

“It feels like death to my family today. Cornal was a big part of this family, and even though he was back in Wellington the last few months, that connection hasn't broken. So, yeah, I think it's an emotional day for the players.”

The Bulls will honour Hendricks with a moments silence before Saturday’s game against the Dragons as well as a minute of applause in the 14th minute of the game, symbolising his number 14 jersey.