Hougaard boosts Blitzboks
FRESH from some brilliant displays for the Worcester Warriors in England’s Premiership, Francois Hougaard is back in the Springbok Sevens mix.
FRESH from some brilliant displays for the Worcester Warriors in England’s Premiership, Francois Hougaard is back in the Springbok Sevens mix.
The 28-year-old scrumhalf will be eligible for selection for the Paris and London legs of the HSBC World Sevens Series after spending three months in England.
His impact in the Premiership has been huge. He was named the Premiership’s player of the month in March after helping the team to four successive wins immediately after his arrival. He was the first ever Worcester player to be named player of the month.
Hougaard has a Springbok Sevens contract and featured in the first half of the current series before taking up a short-term deal with Worcester.
“It is nice to see Francois back,” said coach Neil Powell. “He did well for us in the first four tournaments and I am sure he will fit in nicely this week. He remains committed to try and make the squad that will travel to the Olympics in Rio.”
Powell confirmed that only Carel du Preez and Werner Kok from the contracted group of players would not be considered for the last two legs of the series. Both are recovering from injuries.
“Frankie Horne is coming back from injury and if he makes it through this week, will be considered for selection,” Powell said.
SA are second on the overall log, eight points behind Fiji.
The Blitzboks are grouped in Pool B with Australia, England and Brazil in Paris, to be played at the Stade Jean Bouin in the French capital from May 13-15.