Springboks explain the latest non-selection of Jaden Hendrikse
The name Jaden Hendrikse is almost certain to appear on the team sheet when Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber announces his Rugby World Cup squad next week Tuesday.
Hendrikse is one of a few players that have not featured in The Rugby Championship and won’t play in the warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires this coming Saturday.
The others – like captain Siya Kolisi and fly-half Handre Pollard – are still busy with their rehabilitation programmes and are likely to get a run in the warm-up matches later this month against Wales and New Zealand.
However, the situation for Hendrikse is different. He is fit but won’t play this week. Having been through a vigorous rehabilitation programme following shoulder surgery, it means he has not played since April 1.
The situation was further complicated when the father of the Hendrikse brothers, Jaden and Jordan, passed away in late June – meaning he lost out on the opportunity to feature in the early rounds of the Rugby Championship.
Hendrikse, first-choice Faf de Klerk, Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach and Herschel Jantjies are competing for what is presumed will be three (or four) scrum-half berths.
“Jaden would have played, was it not for the unfortunate family tragedy,” Nienaber said of the untimely death of Brian Hendrikse on June 29.
However, the plan of which players will feature in which of the games – the three Rugby Championship games and this coming Saturday’s World Cup warm-up outing – was put in place and revealed to the players when the squad first got together back in April.
“We told them there might be adjustments,” Nienaber said, adding: “It was plotted way in advance.” The coach said it is easier for the management to decide on the 23-year-old, 12-cap Springbok.
“We know him. We know what he can do. We see him at training. We know what he did for us last year.”
Nienaber pointed to the Rugby Championship Test in Nelspruit in August last year when he replaced de Klerk (who left the field with a concussion) in the opening minute and played a key role in the Springboks’ 26-10 triumph.
“He was a No9 – with very little Test experience [four previous caps] – that could help drive the pack forward. We know what is in Jaden. There is nothing you can read into that,” he said of Hendrikse’s current lack of game time.
“We wanted to give Cobus another go this weekend and we also wanted to give Herschel a go. The first opportunity for Herschel is in this game (against Argentina in Buenos Aires).
“Jaden would have had his opportunities earlier (in the season). Due to very tragic circumstances, out of our control, he didn’t get his chance. Don’t read anything into it.”
Hooker Bongi Mbonambi will skipper the national team for the first time on Saturday. The team shows 13 changes to the starting line-up, while the bench includes uncapped prop Gerhard Steenekamp.
Mbonambi – who will earn his 60th Test cap – takes over the captain’s responsibilities in the absence of the regular captain Kolisi, who is making encouraging progress following knee surgery, and stand-in captains Eben Etzebeth and Duane Vermeulen, who remained in South Africa with a group of players in a conditioning camp.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments