It has been an emotional roller-coaster over the last 18 months or so for Jaden Hendrikse.
A shoulder injury nearly scuppered his hopes of being selected in the Springbok squad for the Rugby World Cup, having dislocated his collarbone on Sharks duty in April 2023 after ending the previous year as arguably the No 1 scrumhalf in the country.
Then, just as he finally recovered, his father Brian died of a heart attack in late June.
Brian, aged 60, was a renowned sportsman himself, having been a Western Province goalkeeper in the 1980s before moving to the Eastern Cape to be a physical education lecturer at the Griffiths Mxenge College in Zwelitsha, near Qonce (previously King William’s Town).
No wonder Jaden and brother Jordan are exceptional ‘footballers’ in the rugby world today – and both are Springboks.
The passing of their father took its toll as Jaden missed a few Test matches, and there were doubts that he would make the final cut for the 33-man World Cup squad.
In the end, coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber made the big call to include four scrumhalves – Jaden Hendrikse, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams.
Hendrikse featured against Romania and Tonga, with De Klerk and Reinach the mainstays and Williams even playing at wing.
But it seems like April doesn’t like the Sharks halfback as he again sustained a shoulder problem during that month this year, and only returned to action in early August for the Sharks in the Currie Cup.
Hendrikse soon returned to the Bok set-up, and produced a classy 20-minute cameo in the 18-12 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town.
The 24-year-old’s pinpoint kicking, slick passing and sound decision-making aided the Bok attack in the last quarter as he brought a sense of calm to the backline following a rather frenetic first half.
Hendrikse’s box-kick over the top also eventually led to Malcolm Marx’s match-winning try in the closing stages, as Cheslin Kolbe – who was chasing the ball – was taken out by New Zealand prop Tyrel Lomax, who received a yellow card.
Williams has since been ruled out of next Saturday’s Rugby Championship away clash against Argentina with an arm injury, which saw Morné van den Berg called up as a replacement on Thursday – with Reinach the experienced option in the 28-man group.
But Williams’ absence provides Erasmus with an ideal opportunity to start Hendrikse against Los Pumas. It is likely to be a feisty affair in Santiago del Estero as the Argentinians try to stay in the title race, and there is sure to be a hostile crowd in the stands as well.
Hendrikse’s measured approach could be the ideal foil for Manie Libbok, who may also be in line for a start at flyhalf.
“Some players, such as Johan Grobbelaar, Manie Libbok, Jaden Hendrikse and Canan Moodie – to name a few – will benefit immensely from more game time at this level,” Erasmus said this week.
The former Glenwood High (Durban) stalwart was delighted to be back in the Bok fold when he addressed the media after the All Black showdown.
“If I get the minutes, I go out there and do my role, and what I need to execute on the day. Even if I don’t play, I have a responsibility to prepare the team well … I give it my all,” he said.
“It’s a privilege to be in the team. Even just being in the squad is a privilege, and it’s not a good feeling when you’re not with the team and watching, especially with how they’ve been playing, winning and playing for each other.
“So, just being out there, getting some minutes and getting that opportunity, I am very grateful.”
More good news for Hendrikse in recent weeks was the fact that his younger brother Jordan – who made his Bok debut against Wales in June – has now finally joined him at the Sharks.
So, it seems as if things are looking up for Jaden Hendrikse once again …