Francois Hougaard has recovered from hand surgery following the Super 14 Semi-Final and Super 14-Final and is ready to join the Springboks on their tour to New Zealand.
After a very good Super 14 on the wing for the Bulls, Francois had undergo a hand operation having broken a bone in his hand in the penutimate Super 14 game but notwithstanding the injury completed the Super 14 Final, also scoring a try in the process.
Hougaard’s role as a utility back, covering wing and scrumhalf is probably his biggest advantage for a possible Bokke callup prior to the Tri-Nations.
He made his Test debut against Italy in Udine last year.
“I’m ready if they want to pick me,” Hougaard said on Tuesday while preparing with the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup where the Blue Bulls kick off their defence of the trophy against the Pumas. Hougaard completed the training session without problems, but did not practice his passing.
“Fortunately I could stay fit and I’ll start handling training on Monday. I hope to be in the Tri-Nations squad, but if that does not happen I’ll give everything for the Bulls in the Currie Cup,” said Hougaard.
In the Blue Bulls campaign he will be used exclusively as a scrumhalf.
Great news, I rate this guy as the next big thing, as irrritating as his hair style is there is something special about the way he plays rugby 🙂
1@ Winston:
Hougie’s hair does not play the rugby…. same with Dewald Potgieter, it’s immaterial what hairstyles they have, so long as the rugby is fine.
Hougie’s dad, Riekus often reads this site, according to him.
Last year on the End of Year Tour, Hougie was still a bit underdone but he has had a very good Super 14 and what impresses me is that he is so strong on his feet and gives 110% in every game, no matter where he is played.
Fair enough but you have to admit that the mullet looks awful. But a great player and I know this sounds like a bold statement but I think he has the ability to be just as good if not better than Fourie, he has alot more speed and BMT. But time will tell.
All this talk about how much depth we have, and that the coach is spoilt for choice in most positions, along with the experimenting in the Bok side and playing certain players out of position, and the era of utility players is being overdone.
Specialists win you tests consistently.
You cannot build a team when you change combinations when you do not need to do so.
Ruan Pienaar does not know whether he is a scrum half or fly half.
I would not like to see this happen to Hougaard.
He should play scrum half and that is that.
With Fourie injured know is his time.
@ tight head:
If I had a clapping smiley I would have used it.
It is the reason that any talk of Hougaard ‘deserving’ a call up to the Boks as replacement to FDP is both absurd and daft.
I rate this kid highly, but play him at 9 before we elevate him to national colours.
@ grootblousmile:
I wish I could list some comments on Percy a couple of years back regarding his hair that does not play rugby…
@ Morné:
Exactly Morne.
When we are blessed with a lot of talent we should be making it more difficult to become a Bok, not easier.
If we are not carefull, we can end up using all this talent to our worst effect.
This is the perfect time for second choice players to serve their apprenticeship, and that is how you build desire and hunger for achieving the jersey and keep the team aspiring to be better, not by dishing out caps because you have a lot of good players.
@ tight head:
Management of players, we are back on the same old subject.
Hougaard used to be no3 at the Bulls. Fourie is out till next year, Adams is gone thus Hougaard is next in line. That means for the time being he is no 1 at the Bulls. He never played wing for the Boks, so he will be scrumhalf.
Stoot groot Hougie. Ricky is besig om op donnerse senuwees te werk.
10@ KWAGGA ROBERTSE:
My vrind, Pampierperd, jou vrou, Langfaan, het vir my ‘n pragtige mailtjie gestuur met kiekies van die BonzaiPampierperdjie wat sy besig is om te bak in die ou oondjie…. Ek sien jy het darem behoorlik gesweis sonner om te veel gate te brand!!
Goooooooooooooooi Mielie!!
@ Morné: #6
Netso!
Kom nou kerels… ons almal weet Percy se hare ,spel en skoene was erger !! 😉
Hougie is only 21 or so… how many other youngsters do you know who live around you, who also have freegin weird hairstyles… it is the norm I’m afraid… their freegin norm!
Hehehe
Seerower, jy kan ten minste kom groet jong, jou roofkyker!
@ Boerboel:
12
En onthou jy die hoe-ha oor Schalk se hare?
Ha hoy ja hoy !!!!!!!!!!!!
😆
Hi super…
Hoe gaan dit my maat ?
@ Blouste:
Dit gaan goed dankie Blouste, en daar by jou?
@ Morné:
Not only his hair, Percy got stick for wearing ‘white’ boots…..Some ‘Old School Rugby Fans’ are a bit stuck in the mud!!
Perhaps they don’t get out much!! 🙂
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