Former Springbok wing joins Southern Kings

Former Springbok wing Cornal Hendricks is set to return to professional rugby after it was revealed that he has joined the Southern Kings.

Hendricks, who represented South Africa in 12 Tests in 2014 and 2015, could be part of the Port Elizabeth-based side’s upcoming PRO14 debut season.

In 2016, he suffered heart complications which seemed to have curtailed his promising career. He returned to semi-professional rugby at the World Club 10s tournament in Mauritius in June.

Kings CEO Charl Crous informed Netwerk24 that the 29-year-old will undergo a medical test before being eligible for a professional contract.

Hendricks was diagnosed with the heart condition in 2016 while he was contracted with the Stormers and it seemed to have ended his career.

He never played for the Cape Town-based franchise. After a routine SA Rugby test revealed his condition, he was forced into early retirement.

Hendricks made a name for himself when he played in Super Rugby for the Cheetahs and for South Africa's Sevens team, winning Commonwealth gold in Glasgow in 2014.

He has been unsuccessful with previous comeback attempts, having failed medicals at French giants Toulon and Pretoria’s Super Rugby side the Bulls.

Hendricks has trained with the Cheetahs and Boland recently to try and step up his recovery.