Francois Hougaard (born April 6, 1988) is a professional South African rugby union rugby player. His primary position is scrumhalf, but in recent times his blistering pace has seen him being deployed on the wing for the Bulls. He was born in Paarl, South Africa and his first tour with the Springboks was to France, Italy, Ireland and England in late 2009 where he played in one test against Italy on 21 November 2009 and two touring matches. Hougaard won the Currie Cup in 2009, and the Super rugby title in 2010, scoring tries in both finals. In the 2011 Super 15 season, he showed great promise, adapting to his self proclaimed preferred position of scrum half in the absences of Fourie Du Preez, very well, and as a result, landed a position in the Springbok World Cup Squad for 2011 tournament. He played for Paul Roos Gymnasium
A rising star in South African rugby, the versatile Hougaard was handed his international debut as a replacement against Italy on the Springboks' end of year tour in 2009.
Primarily a scrum-half but used extensively on the wing, he had previously impressed for the Bulls in the Super 14 and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup - scoring a try in the Blue Bulls' victory over the Cheetahs in the 2009 Currie Cup final and repeating the feat for the Bulls as they beat the Stormers to claim the 2010 Super 14 title.
He won his second international cap off the bench against Australia during the 2010 Tri-Nations before an injury to Ruan Pienaar and the team's indifferent form gifted him his first start in Springbok colours against New Zealand in Johannesburg.
He is by far one of the most destructive runners in Super Rugby and many local pundits rate him as the best winger and best scrumhalf in the country. The Bulls will almost certainly use him in both roles and although the strongly built player indicated his preference to the nine jumper, his love and ability in scoring tries while roaming the field on attack could see Hougaard play on the wing often.
A rising star in South African rugby, the versatile Hougaard was handed his international debut as a replacement against Italy on the Springboks' end of year tour in 2009.
Primarily a scrum-half but used extensively on the wing, he had previously impressed for the Bulls in the Super 14 and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup - scoring a try in the Blue Bulls' victory over the Cheetahs in the 2009 Currie Cup final and repeating the feat for the Bulls as they beat the Stormers to claim the 2010 Super 14 title.
He won his second international cap off the bench against Australia during the 2010 Tri-Nations before an injury to Ruan Pienaar and the team's indifferent form gifted him his first start in Springbok colours against New Zealand in Johannesburg.
He is by far one of the most destructive runners in Super Rugby and many local pundits rate him as the best winger and best scrumhalf in the country. The Bulls will almost certainly use him in both roles and although the strongly built player indicated his preference to the nine jumper, his love and ability in scoring tries while roaming the field on attack could see Hougaard play on the wing often.
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