Former South African rugby player Cornal Hendricks has died at the age of 37. Several reports confirmed that the former Springbok wing passed away on the evening of Wednesday, 14 May 2025.
Cornal Hendricks dies: What’s the cause of death?
According to reports, Cornal Hendricks is believed to have died from a heart attack.
A heart attack happens when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. If the blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.
Hendricks had previously been diagnosed with a heart condition. A heart condition can include a range of problems affecting how the heart functions, including how it beats or pumps blood. This condition had affected his rugby career, at times preventing him from playing for certain teams.
Despite his diagnosis, Hendricks continued to pursue his rugby career with determination. His most recent professional involvement was with the Bulls, a rugby union team based in Pretoria, South Africa.
Cornal Hendricks biography
Cornal Hendricks was born on 18 April 1988. He began his rugby journey with the Boland Cavaliers, a team based in the Western Cape, South Africa. He progressed through various youth competitions before making his senior debut in 2008.
He went on to play for the Cheetahs in the 2014 Super Rugby season, scoring a try on his debut. Hendricks also spent time with the Stormers and was briefly linked to French club Toulon, though he did not play for them due to his medical condition.
Internationally, Hendricks was a part of the South African Sevens team before joining the Springboks—the South African national team. He earned 12 caps for the Springboks and scored five tries. His debut came against Wales on 14 June 2014 in Durban, where he also scored his first try.
In addition to his national appearances, Hendricks was part of the Bulls squad that won the Currie Cup in 2020–21 and 2021. He also played in other major tournaments, including the Pro14 Rainbow Cup and the United Rugby Championship.
He was named the Currie Cup Player of the Year in the 2020–21 season.
Reactions to Cornal Hendricks’s death
News of Hendricks’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes online.
Supporters, former teammates, and sports fans have expressed shock and sadness over the news. Many remembered him for his resilience, sportsmanship, and contribution to South African rugby.
Here are some of the reactions we picked:
