Hougaard: I was sacked over transformation tweets

Cape Town - Former Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard says he no longer appears as a pundit and commentator on SuperSport because of comments he made regarding transformation.

Hougaard was a regular panellist on Afrikaans weekly rugby show, SuperRugby, which airs on Monday nights.

He has also been a commentator on rugby games but has not appeared on television in the last few months.

Over the weekend, Hougaard said on his Facebook page that he was dismissed after SuperSport received complaints from a government minister regarding a series of transformation-related tweets he sent out after the Springboks’ loss to Italy in November.

“I made a comment or let's say had a few on transformation and the negative influence it could have on our rugby structures. Not going into the debate in depth. And not to do with the Springboks whatsoever. A Springbok deserves to play for his country. And a minister mailed SuperSport taking me off TV completely. I will always have a fair opinion and will stand by what will make South Africa n force in World Rugby again. It is a shame that it cost me my job. But my intentions was pure, understanding everybody's backgrounds and upbringing. But more than anything. If you have played at the top you see nothing other than talent,” Hougaard wrote.

Read Hougaard’s full explanation in the post below:

SuperSport denied Hougaard’s allegation.

The pay-channel’s spokesperson, Clinton van den Berg, told Netwerk24 that Hougaard had been a freelancer.

“As is the case with all of SuperSport’s freelancers, we decide at our own discretion if we use Derick on air or not."

According to Van den Berg, there was also never a complaint from government regarding Hougaard.