Bulls retire No. 14 jersey for URC playoffs in tribute to Cornal Hendricks

Hendricks, who tragically passed away last week from a suspected heart attack at his home in Wellington, was a key figure in the Bulls' resurgence under coach Jake White. As a mark of respect, no player will wear the number 14 jersey - the one Hendricks wore with pride - during the URC playoffs.

Instead, the right wing will wear an alternative number, likely 23 or 24, as the team finalizes the tribute details.

The number 14 holds deep significance in Hendricks' legacy. He wore it in all 12 of his Test appearances for the Springboks and incorporated it into the name of his foundation, launched in 2014. The Bulls have featured the number prominently in their tributes throughout the week.

Earlier, coach Jake White emphasized the emotional weight of the gesture, noting how much the number meant to Hendricks.

"I mean, I think Cornel's son was born on the 14th of December. I think he got his first test on the 14th of July. I think he died on the 14th of the 5th. And I think the final, if I'm right, is on the 14th of the 6th, and he was here for six years."

White also reflected on the emotional weight of Hendricks' passing, saying it might be the "why" the team needs - a rallying point as they chase their first URC title after falling short in two previous finals.

"I said it many times that sometimes you need a why and a reason. You look at what happened to Munster when Axel Foley died, you know, how that old club just galvanised and took another step up," he said.

I've got no doubt having lost in finals, we've done it twice now, and having lost a guy like Cornall is something that gives us a reality check, you know, because it is what it is. Sports guys, I mean, they know each other.

"We miss him clapping hands or doing the rituals he used to do and I'm hoping, that's the sort of added value that we can have. We're going to do something for him in the next three weeks on our jerseys and that sort of thing, and the message is very simple. It's not just a symbolic thing, it must be an action thing as well.

"So hopefully it'll be a reason for us to play better and a reason for us to make sure if we get to these knockout games we play as well as we can." 

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