VIDEO: The five 2014 IRPA Try of the Year nominees
Hougaard's try brought the Ellis Park crowd to its feet in the final match of the Rugby Championship in October. The scrumhalf dived under the posts to finish off a move that had begun deep in South Africa’s 22 and involved all of the backline on the way to a 27-25 Springbok victory over New Zealand.
Hougaard's effort has been installed as the 8/5 favourite for the award by SA bookies sportingbet, narrowly ahead of team-mate Cornal Hendricks' five-pointer on his debut against Wales in Durban in June, at (7/4).
The award has been won twice previously by Springboks - Bryan Habana (2012) and Jaque Fourie (2009).
Previous winners:
2013 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
2012 – Bryan Habana (South Africa)
2011 – Radike Samo (Australia)
2010 – Chris Ashton (England)
2009 – Jaque Fourie (South Africa)
2008 – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)