Cornal Hendricks now crowned a Kaapse Kampioen
The Springbok and Bulls winger Cornal Hendricks, who recently joined the Boland Cavaliers, was honoured with the Kaapse Kampioen Award last night (Saturday). Cape Forum honoured the famous rugby player with this award for the impact he, and the sport he loves, has on communities across the country.
Hendricks made his debut for the Springboks in 2014 and played in twelve test matches after establishing himself in the Blitzboks team between 2011 and 2013. However, his heart condition cut his international career short, but in 2018 the Bulls surprised many by signing him. Since then he has “literally played his heart out,” says Heindrich Wyngaard, Chairman of Cape Forum.
“The decision to make Cornal Hendricks a Kaapse Kampioen is modelled on the inspiration he brings by sharing his story with young people in communities where rugby creates hope. We created the award to recognize people who make a difference in communities at a grassroots level and Cornal is indeed one of those people,” says Wyngaard.
The award is accompanied by a donation to The Cornal Hendricks Foundation, which will be used by the sports star to give back to aspiring rugby players.
Wyngaard says that Cape Forum, as a civil organisation, which is concerned with community development, has identified rugby as a sport through which large parts of a community can be reached.
“It’s the heart and soul of some rural towns, such as Caledon, where rugby is often the only way young people can escape a life of poverty. That is precisely why Cape Forum was closely involved as a sponsor with the Caledon Rugby Club this past season. This club is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year.”
As part of Hendricks’ commitment to promoting rugby in rural towns, he also acted as guest speaker at the Caledon Rugby Club’s year-end function this year.
This town produced, among other things, South Africa’s very first brown Springbok player, Errol Tobias. Tobias made his debut for the Boks in 1980 and played in the Green and Gold until 1984.
