Toulon: Bok wing departs as Cockerill arrives

Hendricks's proposed move to three-time European champions Toulon collapsed, despite the 28-year-old having passed a medical.

"The player passed a series of medical and physical tests over the last three weeks, but it was decided, for the good of the player in the first place, that he could not join the club," explained Toulon in a statement without giving further details.

Hendricks, who has turned out 12 times for the Springboks, had to stop playing in 2016 because of a serious heart condition.

It was therefore a shock when Toulon announced in December that the wing would be joining them.

Hendricks played for the Cheetahs in Super Rugby and was previously a stand-out for South Africa's Sevens team, winning Commonwealth gold in Glasgow in 2014.

This news came on the same day that Toulon revealed discarded Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill will join them and that French parted company with Australian back Matthew Carraro.

Carraro was recruited in August from Super Rugby side Waratahs as medical cover until Ayumu Goromaru returned to fitness.

But the club said in October that the Australian would remain with the southern French side until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old started his career at Brumbies before having spells at Canberra Vikings, English Premiership outfit Bath, and in France with Montpellier for the 2012-13 season.

The club and player reached a mutual agreement for him to leave the club.

Toulon also revealed that Cockerill will join them as a consultant until the end of the season.

The former Tigers and England hooker, Cockerill, was on the coaching staff at Leicester since 2004 and became Director of Rugby in 2010.

But at the request of new Toulon head coach Mike Ford, he will now be a consultant at the French club as they look to push for honours.

Cockerill, 46, will link up with fellow Englishman Ford, forwards coach Marc Dal Maso and skills coach Steve Meehan at Stade Mayol.

Cornal Hendricks ne portera pas les couleurs du @RCTofficiel : https://t.co/Ox4vNKTuK3

— RCT – RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) January 6, 2017

Richard Cockerill intègre le staff du @RCTofficiel #RCT : https://t.co/VTNh8NV3V3

— RCT – RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) January 6, 2017