Faf who? Jaden Hendrikse is here to STAY!

The Springboks dished out a 26-10 rugby lesson to the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship opener at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

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There was an early – very early – anxious moment for Springbok supporters when scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was knocked out cold after just 43 seconds of the match.

De Klerk was stretchered off the field and replaced by Jaden Hendrikse with just one more backline player (Willie le Roux) remaining on the bench.

Would the ‘Bomb Squad’ 6/2 substitutes plan backfire?

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Ultimately it did not as Jaden Hendrikse delivered a sublime performance and would’ve been a strong contender for the man of the match award had it not been for a flawless 50th Test by hooker Malcolm Marx.

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With De Klerk all but assured to be ruled out due to concussion protocols for next Saturday’s second showdown against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Hendrikse is set to start – and may well cement his position in the No 9 jersey.

Jaden Hendrikse younger – and based in SA

Hendrikse currently plays his rugby for the Sharks in KwaZulu-Natal while De Klerk recently chased a big-money offer and is now based in Japan.

Hendrikse is also only 22-year-old while De Klerk will turn 31 in October.

Time to reward the youngster based in Mzansi me thinks …

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