R.I.P. CORNAL

FORMER South Africa rugby utility back Cornal Hendricks was laid to rest in an emotional service at Wellington Moederkerk yesterday.

Hendricks, 37, died after suffering a heart attack on 14 May 2025, plunging the rugby community and those whose lives he touched outside of the game into mourning. 

As Canan Moodie and the rest of the pallbearers carried his coffin into the church in Wellington, the mark Hendricks left on those close to him was clearly visible as mense sobbed as they prepared to say goodbye to the 12-cap Springbok who ended his rugby career at Boland after a long stint at the Bulls. 

With his Springbok blazer draped across his coffin, Hendricks’ funeral was also attended by Bulls and former Bokke coach Jake White, among others. 

White was hit hard by the death of one of his former players and burst out in tears at one of his press conferences when asked to talk about Hendricks. 

Wellington not only said goodbye to a rugby player that dazzled between the four white lines yesterday, but a man who was loved by all who knew him. 

According to reports, he will buried alongside Theunis Linee in Paarl

Rest in peace, Cornal Hendricks.