Former Springbok Cornal Hendricks has done a full 180 and will close off his career at the Boland Kavaliers.
Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone confirmed to supersport.com that Hendricks had completed his contract with the Pretoria side and had joined Boland for his immediate future.
The move is not entirely unexpected, as Hendricks is in the twilight of his career but the return to the province he loves and grew up in is just another chapter in giving back to the community that made him a star.
The 36-year old former Springbok has had an exceptional career, and is a perfect example for never giving up, after it seemed his career was over in 2015 when he was diagnosed with a heart ailment just as his career seemed to be taking off and he was a regular in the Springbok team on the wing.
After four years in the wilderness, where rugby unions were too scared to take a chance on him because of his medical issues, Hendricks found a home at the Bulls, where he became an integral part of the revival in the team under new coach Jake White.
While at the Bulls he was part of the side that won the Super Rugby Unlocked tournament during Covid and the Currie Cup and made more than 50 appearances for the team in his time there.
A popular figure in the team, Hendricks also represented the Springbok Sevens team and is expected to be a key figure in Boland’s quest to get back to the Currie Cup Premier division next season.
Boland have won the past two first Division titles and with investment from Remgro, who are also the investors in the Bulls, they are looking to make a mark at a higher level.
Hendricks played his age group rugby at Boland and started a foundation to help those in need in his hometown of Wellington, and has given back significantly to his community in the past.