Hendricks' legacy and SA franchise futures
Cornal Hendricks' legacy, SA's overseas exodus, and the Lions' coaching crisis collide in this week's essential rugby conversation on ‘To the Last Drop’.
On this week's 'To The Last Drop' podcast, hosts Brenden Nel and Liam Del Carme pay heartfelt tribute to Springbok and Bulls utility back Cornal Hendricks, who passed away after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Wednesday evening.
Hendricks, who played 12 Tests for the Boks and scored five tries between 2014 and 2015, was a much-loved character as full of life as he was fight.
Despite a disadvantaged upbringing and a potentially life-threatening heart condition that cut short his Test career in 2016, Hendricks never allowed obstacles to stand in the way of his dreams. Even after his international days were numbered, he continued to play with his infectious, characteristic smile.
Also featured on the show, Bulls director of rugby Jake White once again expresses concern about South Africa's top players pursuing careers abroad.
This week's episode also reflects on the Lions' disappointing season in the United Rugby Championship. Having failed to reach the play-offs for the fourth consecutive year, the hosts suggest it's time for significant change at the franchise. They argue the Lions should revisit their business model and consider replacing head coach Ivan van Rooyen after six barren years at the helm.
Don't miss this touching tribute and insightful rugby discussion - listen to the full episode of 'To the Last Drop' below.
Listen to previous episodes via the full 'To the Last Drop' channel below:
About the 'To The Last Drop' podcast hosts
Liam Del Carme
Liam is one of the country's most enduring sports writers. His time in the newsrooms pre-dates rugby turning professional in the 1990s. He has been in the employ of broadsheet newspapers The Argus, Sunday Independent, This Day and Beeld, and is currently the rugby writer at The Sunday Times. Liam has reported at six Rugby World Cups and around 20 Currie Cup finals.
He loves cooking and travel, and is the author of the book 'WINGING IT – On tour with the Boks'. When time allows, he is a television pundit and writes a regular column on timeslive.co.za under the title ‘The Worst of Times’.
Brenden Nel
Rugby has always been a passion for Brenden, so much so that he made it a career. Since first entering a newsroom at the Citizen almost three decades ago, he has written for some of the biggest titles in the world, including Rapport, the Independent (UK), The Times (UK), South China Morning Post and a host of others. Currently, he covers all things rugby for Supersport.com and has reported on no less than four World Cups, five Sevens World Cups and around 250 test matches in total.
Brenden is also the author of 'Derick Hougaard – Dieware storie van Loftus se Liefling' and has a popular YouTube channel under his name. He loves nothing more when away from the game than a glass of good red wine, a good fire and spending time with his wife and four rescue dogs.