Share

De Kock: Hougaard at No 9 for Boks!

Cape Town - Former scrumhalf Neil de Kock would like to see Francois Hougaard start at No 9 for the Springboks this year.

De Kock, who played 10 Tests for the Springboks between 2001 and 2003, shared his views via an exclusive interview with Sport24.

The 38-year-old former Stormers No 9 is set to retire having spent the last 11 years at English club Saracens.

He said Hougaard, who currently plays for the Worcester Warriors in England, should be given an extended run at scrumhalf for the Springboks.

Hougaard boasts 39 Test caps and will therefore not be prohibited to represent the national team, who recently saw a change in its rules regarding the eligibility of overseas-based players.

SA Rugby’s new policy, which comes into effect on July 1 and excludes World Cup years, states that only overseas-based Springboks with more than 30 Test caps will be eligible for selection in future.

“There is plenty of talent at scrumhalf for the Springboks and that’s the case with South African rugby in general. I would love to see Francois Hougaard starting regularly at No 9 for South Africa. He qualifies in terms of the 30-cap rule and is a world-class player. Given the experience he has attained at national level and now abroad, it will stand the team in good stead,” De Kock said.

De Kock also says it is worrisome to see some players head abroad but insists there's enough talent for the No 9 jersey.

“It’s sad to see Cobus Rienach and Faf de Klerk heading abroad, because they don’t have the allotted number of Test caps to continue playing for the Boks beyond the cut-off point of 1 July. Dewaldt Duvenage, Jano Vermaak and Ross Cronje have been selected as the three scrumhalves for the third Springbok training camp. They are good players in their own right, but we cannot discount the likes of Rudy Paige and Piet van Zyl, who I feel are also in the mix and coming into the prime of their careers.”

READ: Neil de Kock chats to Sport24http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/neil-de-kock-chats-to-sport24-20170519


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE