FILE - The Bulls’ Cornal Hendricks runs with the ball during the United Rugby Championship match against Zebre in 2022. Hendricks has announced that he has left the Bulls. FILE - The Bulls’ Cornal Hendricks runs with the ball during the United Rugby Championship match against Zebre in 2022. Hendricks has announced that he has left the Bulls. Picture: Massimiliano Carnabuci / LiveMedia / DPPI via AFP
Former Springboks speedster Cornal Hendricks posted a heartfelt farewell message on social media confirming his exit from the Bulls.
IOL Sport reported on Tuesday that Hendricks’ contract with the Bulls had come to an end at the end of September after five successful years in Pretoria.
Hendricks joined the Bulls in 2019 after four years in the the rugby wilderness after he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition.
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.
“Firstly I want to thank God for my God-given talent. I want to thank him for giving me a second opportunity with the Bulls family: when nobody believed in me, God pulled through,” Hendricks said.
“To the Bulls: what an incredible ride it’s been. Thank you for accepting me and my family as your own. To coach Jake and Edgar: it wasn’t easy being out of the game for 3 years but you gave me a second home, for that I will be forever grateful.
“To my teammates, my brothers on the field and every staff member, thank you for believing in me, and for all the highs and lows that come with this sport that I love.
“To the fans: your passion made me get up even when it seemed impossible, thank you for cheering for your unwavering support. I only ever wanted to make you all proud, I hope that I did that.
“Lastly: this isn’t a goodbye, but a see you later,” Hendricks added.
IOL Sport understands that the Wellington-born Hendricks will head “home” to join the Boland Cavaliers, the team where he started his professional career with.
After representing Boland at age-group level, Hendricks made his professional debut for the senior team in 2008 and spent four years in the black and gold. He then left for the Cheetahs in 2012 where he showed his worth in Super Rugby.
Hendricks made his Springboks debut in 2014, playing 12 Tests and scoring five tries. He scored a memorable try against the All Blacks in 2014, when he ran a perfect line after a well executed lineout move.
Hendricks was diagnosed with the heart condition in 2015, with doctors advising him to quit the game while in the prime of his rugby career at the age of 27 years old.
However, after being denied the opportunity to play for various teams by SA Rugby because of his condition, he was given a chance with the Bulls in 2019 and ended up having a fruitful stint at the union.
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