Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Jaden Hendrikse - young scrumhalf could be long-term replacement for Cobus Reinach

Jaden Hendrikse celebrates with his teammates Caleb Dingaan and Rikus Pretorius after scoring a try during Pool C match between South Africa U20 and Scotland U20 as part of World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 at Racecourse Stadium. (Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images)

If you happen to be a Sharks fan, it would be difficult to look at this crop of South African U20s and not be excited about the future of your franchise, with scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse catching the eye in particular.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s not that it is a particularly sensational group for South Africa overall, although performances have been solid so far in Argentina, it’s that it is built around a core of Sharks players.

Beyond Hendrikse, there is another scrum-half in the form of Sanele Nohamba, the back row pairing of Phendulani Buthelezi and Celimpilo Gumede, and lock JJ van der Mescht, with all five having played pivotal roles over the opening two games.

Nohamba has provided a very signficant injection of impetus replacing Hendrikse, Buthelezi’s physicality in defence has been notable and van der Mescht showed impressive conditioning and work rate for a second row in the opener against Scotland. Hooker Fezokuhle Mbatha, wing Caleb Dingaan and flanker Dylan Richardson, all affiliated with the Cell C Sharks, have also played their parts in the two victories.

Video Spacer

In Hendrikse, however, the Sharks may have found the long-term replacement for Cobus Reinach, who has enjoyed such success with Northampton Saints since making the move to England in 2017.

The former Glenwood High School pupil has consistently impressed for the Junior Springboks this year, not only in Argentina at the Championship, but also in South Africa’s warm-up matches, initially on their UK tour and he then followed it up in the triangular series against Argentina, Georgia and Namibia.

It’s not just the Sharks connection that Hendrikse shares with Reinach, as he is similarly electric around the fringes and more than capable of turning any gaps or chinks in a team’s fringe defence into a big gain for his side. This is a trait he shares in abundance with international teammate Nohamba, too.

ADVERTISEMENT

His current role as the Junior Springboks’ starting nine, ahead of Nohamba, comes down to the other skills he possesses, with his control of tempo, distribution off both hands and kicking at goal all also proving to be crucial to South Africa’s 100% start to the tournament. France have had a bit of a monopoly on the real top echelon of scrum-halves coming through the pathways over the last few years, but Hendrikse is in that same conversation.

Hendrikse’s goal-kicking could be valuable to the Sharks when Robert du Preez heads to England this year. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)

His box-kicking and tackling haven’t been overly tested so far this tournament and that’s something that is likely to change when South Africa face New Zealand in the final game of their group stage next week. With 10 points already on the board, Hendrikse and South Africa are in a solid position to qualify for the semi-finals, although their place is not yet guaranteed.

Away from the U20s, Hendrikse and co’s fortunes at club level could be about to look up also, with the Sharks set to lose a host of players to Europe and Japan later this year. The likes of Akker van der Merwe, Robert du Preez and Coenie Oosthuizen are off and it could well signal a rebuilding period in Durban, creating opportunities for this cadre of promising talent.

ADVERTISEMENT

Throw into the mix the upcoming changes to the contracting model in South African rugby, which should make it more difficult for one or two provinces to hoard talent and said talent being given incentives through “commitment clauses” to stay in South Africa, and the Sharks look to be in a strong position to at least retain that talent. Whether or not they can make the most of their potential and successfully transition them to the seniors and Super Rugby remains to be seen, but there is at least cause for optimism on the east coast.

Watch: Rugby Explorer – South Africa

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ “He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation “He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation
Search