Cape Town - Springbok and Bulls scrumhalf Francois Hougaard has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury, a report on the supersport.com website indicates.
Hougaard, who started at scrumhalf for the Bulls in their Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Brumbies over the weekend, will undergo surgery on his ankle next week.
The 25-year-old, who can play scrumhalf and wing, has struggled to hold down a spot in the Bulls starting team in recent months with Jano Vermaak often keeping him on the bench.
“It isn’t the same ankle injury that has been plaguing him,” Bulls team doctor Org Strauss said.
“This is a different injury he picked up and we believe it the right course of action that he undergoes surgery.”
The Springbok squad is set to be announced later this week for the Rugby Championship.
The Boks start their campaign with a Test against Argentina at FNB Stadium on August 17.
Hougaard, who started at scrumhalf for the Bulls in their Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Brumbies over the weekend, will undergo surgery on his ankle next week.
The 25-year-old, who can play scrumhalf and wing, has struggled to hold down a spot in the Bulls starting team in recent months with Jano Vermaak often keeping him on the bench.
“It isn’t the same ankle injury that has been plaguing him,” Bulls team doctor Org Strauss said.
“This is a different injury he picked up and we believe it the right course of action that he undergoes surgery.”
The Springbok squad is set to be announced later this week for the Rugby Championship.
The Boks start their campaign with a Test against Argentina at FNB Stadium on August 17.