VIDEO: Physical Hendrikse loves a bit of 'biff'

In a country where flyhalves are not renowned for engaging in the more ‘brutal’ arts of the game, Springbok Jordan Hendrikse is an anomaly.

Hendrikse this year topped the list for flyhalf tackle success, with 94 percent, in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup competitions.

Playing 1087 minutes, Hendrikse made 138 tackles out of his 147 attempts.

The former South African Schools and Junior Bok said his ‘physicality’ and ‘kicking game’ have always been strengths of his.

The 23-year-old said he was never scared to take the ball to the line, a factor that saw him earn his first cap against Wales at Twickenham in June.

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“The aspect I needed to work on, was my communication,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “My organising [skills] and managing the game.

“Over the past three seasons that improved tremendously.

“That contributed to my experience as well.”

He said those aspects he will continue to work on to get more Bok caps.

“It comes with more game time and experience,” the utility back said, adding: “I need to balance the type of games I play.

“In Ireland, where it is windy and wet, it is about how you adapt to the game.

“In Johannesburg, you always have sunny weather and you can play a running [expansive] game.”

The Sharks have a different coaching set-up, although there will be familiar faces in Joey Mongalo, Warren Whitely and Phillip Lemmer.

(WATCH as one-cap Springbok Jordan Hendrikse sits down for Part Two of his one-on-one with @king365ed – talking about the physical aspects of the game….)

“I look forward to that journey and learning from those coaches,” he said about head coach John Plumtree and attack coach David Williams.

As one of only two halfbacks (flyhalf and scrumhalf) that has a tackle success rate of above 90 percent in the United Rugby Championship, he said he always prides himself on his ‘physical’ contribution.

“I pride myself on being a physical flyhalf,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “There was always this stigma around South African flyhalves not enjoying contact or defensively there’s [a perception of] space around your No.10 and No.12 channel.

“I pride myself on ensuring my area is secure and being physical.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

* Don’t miss Part Three of the interview, when Jordan Hendrikse talks about his Springbok debut!