McNeil Hendricks toured the UK and Ireland with South Africa A last season and had to wait until the fifth match of that venture to make his debut. Oxford University were the unfortunate victims of his power, pace and uncompromising defence and he went on to play in the victories against England A and Emerging Wales. He made his debut for Boland in 1996 and this year he shared the title of Most Promising Player in the Nite Series with Springbok Percy Montgomery. He scored a fine solo try against Griqualand West in the Currie Cup and represented the Emerging Springboks against the British Lions.