Veteran former Springbok speedster Cornal Hendricks has tragically passed away late on Wednesday night.
His cause of death is unconfirmed at this stage, but Hendricks, who was just 37 years old, had previously been diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition.
Hendricks made his Springbok debut in 2014 and went on to earn 12 Test appearances in which he scored five tries.
Before that, he turned out for the Springbok Sevens team and was one of the star players in the Blitzboks side that stormed to a gold medal at 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
RETIREMENT AND RETURN OF THE SPRINGBOK
The right wing started his career with the Boland Cavaliers before moving to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein 2014.
In the 2016 season, he signed a two-year deal with Western Province and the Stormers. However, he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and failed to make any appearances for them.
After missing that entire season, the Springbok had a deal with French Top 14 giants Toulon also fell through and was eventually forced into a premature retirement at age 27 due to the aforementioned heart condition.
However, a determined Hendricks regained his health and fitness to make a remarkable return to professional rugby in 2019 when he signed for the Bulls.
“I was in a dark place after the doctors told me my career was over. I endured physical pain, but sometimes the emotional pain was so bad I would just curl up in bed and refuse to have contact with the outside world, or even speak to my family,” he said at the time.
“I fully understand the risks that go with it as I enter into this contract. I accept such risks,” the Springbok said after signing with the Bulls.
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/blitzboks/springbok-wing-dies-at-age-37/
