The 22-year-old, who is playing in EPCR competitions for the first time along with many of his Cell C Sharks teammates, started each of his side’s four games as they finished third in Pool A.

After helping the Durban-based outfit defeat Harlequins and Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the opening two rounds, Hendrikse produced his most eye-catching display at home to the TOP 14 club in Round 3.

The South Africa international showcased his try-scoring talents as he darted over for two opportunistic efforts inside the first 25 minutes to kick-start his team’s 32-3 triumph.

Hendrikse went over again at Harlequins in Round 4 as he finished superbly in the corner to further boost his growing reputation, and he is set to feature prominently in the Round of 16 as Cell C Sharks host Munster Rugby in a colossal encounter on April 1.

2023 EPCR PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Grégory ALLDRITT (Stade Rochelais)
Gavin COOMBES (Munster Rugby)
Caelan DORIS (Leinster Rugby)
Elliot DALY (Saracens)
Antoine DUPONT (Stade Toulousain)
Eben ETZEBETH (Cell C Sharks)
Jaden HENDRIKSE (Cell C Sharks)
Siya KOLISI (Cell C Sharks)
Makazole MAPIMPI (Cell C Sharks)
Julien MARCHAND (Stade Toulousain)
Emmanuel MEAFOU (Stade Toulousain)
Jamie OSBORNE (Leinster Rugby)
Garry RINGROSE (Leinster Rugby)
Justin TIPURIC (Ospreys)
Josh VAN DER FLIER (Leinster Rugby)

Judging Panel – Bryan Habana (two-time Heineken Champions Cup winner), Sarah Hunter (former England captain), Elma Smit (sports presenter and producer), Andy Goode (two-time Heineken Cup winner), Dimitri Yachvili (France Télévisions and Challenge Cup winner)

Roll of Honour – 2022: Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby) ; 2021: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain) ; 2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs); 2019: Alex Goode (Saracens); 2018: Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92); 2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens); 2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens); 2015: Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne); 2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon); 2013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon); 2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby); 2011: Sean O’Brien (Leinster Rugby); 2010: Ronan O’Gara (Munster Rugby – best player of first 15 years of European professional club competitions)

Cell C Sharks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse has been included on the EPCR Player of the Year longlist after crossing for three tries in an impressive Heineken Champions Cup pool stage campaign.