• Cornal Hendricks died at 37 after a suspected heart attack.
• He represented South Africa in both fifteen-man rugby and sevens.
• He made a remarkable comeback to rugby after a serious heart condition.

Cornal Hendricks, a celebrated former international rugby player for South Africa, passed away at the age of 37 after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday. He was confirmed deceased by SA Rugby, who acknowledged him as a remarkable athlete noted for his vibrant spirit and influence on and off the field, according to BBC, India Times, and Africa News.

Hendricks made 12 Test appearances for the Springboks from 2014 to 2015, scoring five tries and winning gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games as part of the national sevens team. He achieved significant success during his career, including being named South Africa's player of the year in 2013 for sevens rugby, according to BBC and India Times.

In 2015, he was forced to retire from professional rugby due to a heart condition, but after receiving a second medical opinion, he returned to the field with the Bulls in 2019, showcasing his resilience. His story of hope resonated within the rugby community, inspiring many, as reported by BBC, India Times, and Africa News.

Mark Alexander, the president of SA Rugby, expressed his condolences, emphasizing Hendricks' love for the game and his ability to uplift those around him, while the Bulls rugby director lauded his remarkable use of a second chance in professional rugby, according to BBC, India Times, and Africa News.