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Cape Town - The Bulls remain confident that Francois Hougaard could still feature for them during next year’s Super Rugby competition.
The versatile backline player recently signed a deal with the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to play for the Springbok Sevens team in the upcoming 2015/16 season.
It was expected that he would be released for some part of the Bulls’ Super Rugby campaign, but a recent report indicated that the Springbok may feature for the Kings in Port Elizabeth.
The Kings are in dire financial straits, which prompted SARU to step in and take charge of the franchise ahead of their re-entry into Super Rugby.
It is expected that SARU will ask a few of the other South African franchises to release some of their fringe players to the Kings.
Afrikaans newspaper, Rapport, on Sunday reported that SARU is keen for Hougaard to help out at the Kings, however, the Bulls on Monday hit back, stating their intent for him to return to Pretoria.
“Negotiations with Francois Hougaard is also going well and if successful, could still see the scrumhalf in blue when he is not playing sevens for the Blitzboks,” the Bulls said via a press statement.
Hougaard playing in Pretoria could prove a financial burden for the Bulls though, with SARU reportedly wanting R100 000 per match to release the 35-Test capped Springbok.
