'It was heartbreaking': Cameron Hanekom feared his career was over
SPOTLIGHT: When Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth were ruled out shortly before kick-off against England on Saturday, Cameron Hanekom was thrust into one of the biggest occasions of his career.
The Bull’s star was drafted into the starting XV at late notice, filling the blindside flank role after Pieter-Steph du Toit shifted into the second row and assumed the captaincy.
Playing out of position against one of the world’s leading rugby nations is rarely straightforward, but Hanekom embraced the challenge.
While it was not a flawless display, the 23-year-old showcased exactly why he is regarded as one of South Africa’s brightest loose forward prospects. He produced a tireless defensive effort with 11 tackles, while carrying strongly, breaking the line once and beating three defenders from his eight carries.
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For Hanekom, however, simply pulling on the green and gold again was victory enough.
His second Springbok cap came just over a year after fearing he would never play rugby again.
The Ceres-born loose forward suffered a devastating hamstring injury during the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship semifinal against the Sharks in Pretoria in 2025, when an innocuous cleanout by Kolisi left him with a torn hamstring that initially threatened to end his career.
Although he has fought his way back through months of rehabilitation, Hanekom admits the injury still reminds him daily of what he endured.
He continues to experience discomfort in the repaired hamstring but refuses to let it define him.
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Speaking this week, Hanekom recalled the despair he felt immediately after the injury.
“Getting injured in that semifinal, I basically thought my career was over. That’s how it felt back then,” he said.
“It was heartbreaking. I was still a youngster trying to climb through the ranks and getting opportunities, and I was hoping to get back into the Springbok setup at that time.
“To have it taken away in one cleanout was quite hard to take.”
What followed was a gruelling rehabilitation that Hanekom believes strengthened him mentally.
“There’s definitely a bigger picture and plan for everybody on this earth,” he said.
“Going through the rehab with bumps and bruises, some good days and some bad days, I just started getting stronger mentally.
“I learned how important it is to keep fighting through everything and, every time you get knocked down, just get back up.”
