Rassie's take as 'cramp gate' escalates
REACTION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has come to the defence of under-fire scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, after his ‘calf cramps’ sparked international outrage.
Hendrikse has been the most debated topic in the wake of the Sharks’ dramatic penalty shootout win against Munster at Kings Park at the weekend.
In very unusual circumstances, the Sharks progressed to the semifinal after beating Munster in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The teams were deadlocked at 24-all after an intense 100 minutes of action in the Shark Tank, leading to the quarterfinal being decided by a place-kicking competition.
Jaden Hendrikse, his brother Jordan, and Bradley Davids were the kickers for the Sharks, while Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, and Rory Scannell were the men under pressure for Munster.
The Sharks nailed all six of their shots from various positions around the field, while a solitary miss by Scannell spelt the end of Munster’s campaign.
However, the shootout was marred by controversy, with Jaden Hendrikse at the centre of it all.
Midway through the shootout, after his second successful kick from the 10=-metre line, Jaden Hendrikse went down complaining of a cramp.
He was treated for the cramp by the Sharks’ medical staff in the middle of the pitch, near the spot, which delayed Crowley, who had to take a kick from a nearby position.
The action of the Boks scrumhalf was questioned by Crowley.
TV cameras also caught Hendrikse winking at an infuriated Crowley, who nailed his kick before yelling obscenities at a Sharks staff member – forcing a match official to step in and break up the spat.
The incident has caused a massive stir, with some fans calling it unsportsmanlike behaviour and others labelling it hilarious.
There seems to be little fence-sitting in this matter, with two camps swiftly forming in the wake of the match.
Erasmus, in typical fashion, posted an enlarged picture of the Bok’s cramping calf muscle, accompanied by a quizzical emoji.
🤷🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/zmO8DzMxPC
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) June 1, 2025
Rugby needs heroes and villains and people talking about it.. so I actually wish that moment was even more high profile.
Jaden Hendrikse played his part, love it or hate it pic.twitter.com/lss2MhVRbU
— Grant Constable (@GrantConstable) May 31, 2025
Disgraceful behaviour by the Sharks player and staff. The crowd weren’t that great either. No rugby values on display. Jack Crowley & Munster had every right to be furious. I hope the Sharks get their cumeuppance! I was so disappointed Munster lost (Leinster fan).
— Greg O’Broin (@OBroinG) May 31, 2025
110+ mins!
— Darth Humor (@X_Darth_Humor) June 1, 2025
Those who have experienced calve cramps will know that things hurts, dit pyn sommer tot in jou p*el…
— Just Someone (@Leo99Meyer) June 1, 2025
— Jaybee (@jamesjohnedney) June 1, 2025
— Jaybee (@jamesjohnedney) June 1, 2025
SA rugby has always been very classless, awful shower
— Glen rodgers (@gaafan56) May 31, 2025
Rassie love your work but that’s not even the leg he pretended was cramping
— Christian lewis (@Christian_Lewis) June 1, 2025
— Clibo One (@Clibo01) June 1, 2025
Were you ok with some Sharks staff getting involved?
— Jane (@stackeroo) June 1, 2025
To the Irish – the world remembers November 13, 2004 Lansdowne Road, Dublin. When O’Gara, took a quick tap penalty and scored a try in the 21st minute while South African captain John Smit was addressing his team, as instructed by referee Paul Honiss. You celebrated gleefully.
— Jagang (@JagangUS) June 1, 2025
The Irish have to be the pettiest rugby fans on the planet even when they lost against the all blacks in the RWC there was some unsportsmanlike allegations against the ABs yet the entire rugby community had to put up with Jonny Sexton for a decade .
— Elion mask🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@molodiloddies) June 1, 2025
I haven’t seen a gastrocnemius knot like that since Rayno Nel won the truck pull…
One might even think that Hendrikse was cramping up!
😉https://t.co/ayUCIRp4ng— 𝙷𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚔 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚢𝚍𝚘𝚖 (@SPQRSA) June 1, 2025
Some South African rugby players are becoming more like footballers
— Steve (@Steve3791890411) June 1, 2025
