Johannesburg — Rising Springbok star Jaden Hendrikse is convinced that he will play alongside his younger brother in the Green and Gold in the near future.
Hendrikse, along with fellow Bok veterans Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mobonambi, and Ox Nche, is anticipated to be included in the Sharks’ matchday 23 this weekend when they visit the Glasgow Warriors in a United Rugby Championship (URC) match (kick-off 4.05pm).
It will be Hendrikse and his Bok colleagues’ first game of rugby since the conclusion of their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban last month.
The elder Hendrikse was one of the tournament’s top players for the Boks, surpassing incumbent No. 9 Faf de Klerk as the favoured option. Jaden believes that it is only a matter of time before he is joined by Jordan as a probable halfback pairing for the Boks.
“We do discuss it,” Jaden confessed on Wednesday during a media session for the Sharks, “but it’s just a matter of both of us being patient.
“We will one day play together (for the Boks). When the opportunity arises, we must seize it and never forget how we got there.”
However, Lions flyhalf Jordan has had few opportunities in the URC thus far this season. In the last three contests, Gianni Lombard has been the preferred No. 10 jumper, with Jordan sitting on the bench. In September, the 20-year-old did start the opening encounter against the Bulls, but since then he has only played eight minutes of rugby.
If Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen decides to give Lombard a bit of a respite, he might play a larger role this weekend against Ulster (kickoff at 2:00 p.m.).
Nonetheless, one should be inclined to accept Jaden’s prediction that the Hendrikse brothers, both of whom attended Dale College Boys Primary in the Eastern Cape, will one day sing the national song together in a Test stadium.
When this will occur remains an unanswered question.
Jaden pondered pragmatically, “Only time will tell,” adding, “Only time will tell.”