Saturday’s massive Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Vodacom Bulls should be the start of an extended opportunity for Jordan Hendrikse to bed down as the starting Hollywoodbets Sharks flyhalf.
Hendrikse’s selection ahead of George Whitehead, who is on the bench for Saturday’s game, was the only change made by new interim coach JP Pietersen from the side that beat Saracens 28-23 in the Investec Champions Cup last weekend.
Although he did wear the No 10 when an understrength Sharks team tackled Toulouse in France two weeks ago, this game should be the beginning of an extended run in the saddle for Hendrikse as Pietersen has given him his backing as the Sharks’ game driving flyhalf going forward.
Although Hendrikse was in poor form to the end of last season when he did play mostly at flyhalf, he was apparently struggling with an injury during that period that impacted negatively on his mobility. It is now understood that Hendrikse has finally shaken off the effects of that debilitating injury.
“Jordan struggled a bit with a shin splint injury before we brought him back for our game against Toulouse. That was his first game for us at No 10 this season,” said Pietersen.
“With Aphelele Fassi unavailable to us (due to the injury he picked up playing for the Springboks against the All Blacks in Wellington in September) we initially needed Jordan at fullback.”
As it turns out, Fassi, who made his return for the Sharks in the last line of defence against Saracens last week, is again unavailable and will miss the Bulls game due to the concussion he sustained in the Champions Cup clash.
However, Pietersen has exhibited faith in young Hakeem Kunene by bringing him in at fullback and moving Hendrikse back to flyhalf.
“As a coaching group we felt this was the right time to give him the opportunity to lead the team at 10,” said the Sharks coach.
“In my eyes, I see him primarily as a flyhalf. I trust him there. I think Jordan will do a great job there. There will be moments when things are a little off, but that happens with all players. That’s normal and it is part of the game. I trust his ability to get the best out of the group.”
Whitehead did a good job at flyhalf in last week’s wet weather game against Saracens but he was always more of a stop gap than a long term flyhalf option for the Sharks and the 36-year-old will return to Griquas after this game.