It wasn’t just the Sharks’ nail-biting victory that had everyone talking after Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final.
What really stole the headlines was an unexpected wink—yes, a wink—during the high-stakes shootout.
And now, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is jumping into the conversation to defend his player.
Let’s break down what happened.
The Game That Came Down to a Kick-Off
In a match that felt more like a movie than a rugby game, the Sharks and Munster couldn’t be separated during regular or extra time at Kings Park.
So, it came down to a rare and dramatic kicking shootout.
Each team sent up three kickers—Springbok brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse for the Sharks, along with rookie Bradley Davids.
The Sharks showed nerves of steel, landing all six of their shots from all over the field.
Munster, on the other hand, missed just one… but that was enough to send them crashing out and see the Sharks advance to the semi-final.
So, What Exactly Is ‘Winkgate’?
In the middle of that tense shootout, Jaden Hendrikse dropped to the ground, apparently with cramp.
Nothing too unusual in a high-pressure game—until the cameras zoomed in and caught him winking at Munster’s Jack Crowley as he received treatment.
Cue social media meltdown.
Fans and pundits alike accused Hendrikse of faking the injury in an attempt to mess with Crowley’s concentration.
Some even labeled it flat-out gamesmanship, and the UK Telegraph didn’t hold back either, calling it “shameless” and suggesting the quarter-final would be remembered not for the kicking, but for that wink.
Rassie Erasmus Weighs In
Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus wasn’t about to let the criticism go unanswered.
In his typically tongue-in-cheek way, Erasmus posted a close-up of Hendrikse’s clearly cramping calf, adding a confused emoji to imply: “Where’s the fake here?”
He seemed to suggest that while the wink might’ve been cheeky, the cramp was real—and so was Hendrikse’s character.
Others in the rugby community also came to Hendrikse’s defense, calling it a bit of harmless fun in a high-pressure moment.
What Do You Think—Cunning or Cramping?
Was it gamesmanship or just a light-hearted moment in an otherwise tense encounter? Fans are split.
Some say Hendrikse was within his rights—he didn’t break any rules, after all—while others believe there’s a line between strategy and unsportsmanlike behavior.