Hougaard lauds Bok brotherhood

PRETORIA: The secret behind the Springboks resurgence this year has had everything to do with what they do off the field as much as on it.

A lot has been said about the new Springbok “team culture” from an assortment of players – young and old, experienced and rookies alike.

However, one man who knows a lot about team culture and the influence it has on a Bok team is one of the veterans – scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, pictured.

Hougaard is one of three players(the others being Tendai Mtawarira and Frans Steyn) who is now playing under his third Springbok coach, and the former Bulls scrumhalf is singing the praises of his teammates and the “culture” that has turned around the fortunes of the team.

“The guys really believe in where we are going and what we are doing, and we have everyone on the same page, understanding what it is about. It is not about the individual but more about the team, not only the 23 but everyone who contributes during the week,” Hougaard said after Saturday’s 35-12 victory over France.

In making his way back into the Springbok side, Hougaard has patiently waited his turn and had to play second fiddle to Ross Cronje after coach Allister Coetzee hauled him from the wilderness after he was unceremoniously dumped by previous coach Heyneke Meyer on the eve of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Hougaard, who plies his trade for Worcester in England, believes the strength of the current crop of Springboks is in the collective instead of individuals, and that has been the secret of the series whitewash over France.

“It is easy to be positive when you are in the starting line-up or matchday 23, but when you have to hold the bags week in and week out and being disappointed that you don’t play, that is when your character shows. Big up to the guys who haven’t had a game in the last three weeks, we feel for them – and those are the guys who make the Springbok side. They test us on defence and give us good practice at the end of the day. We are all working together towards the same goal. We all take it week for week.

“It is easy to throw the word brotherhood around but the guys are really feeling for one another.

“It is not about being friends, the guys really get to know each other, their families, kids and wives. I think it is much deeper than that and it is awesome to see and great to be part of that,” Hougaard said.