Hendre Stassen was born and raised in Boksburg on Gauteng's East Rand, where he starred for Hoerskool Dr E.G. Jansen before being signed into the Blue Bulls structures. His ability at both lock and blindside flank earned him selection for the Junior Springboks in 2017.
Stassen made his senior Vodacom Bulls debut in 2018 before moving to French giants Stade Francais. His career was halted by a four-year doping ban from 2019, but he rebuilt it impressively on his return, joining the Stormers and Western Province in 2023 and featuring in the URC and Currie Cup, before moving to Brive in the French Pro D2. In 2026 the Sharks secured his signature, with the two-metre, 119 kg forward set to arrive in Durban for the 2026/27 season.
A story of perseverance as much as power, Stassen returns home with a point to prove - and has already targeted the Sharks' blockbuster clash with the All Blacks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in August 2026.
