Wasps sign Francois Hougaard from Worcester Warriors ahead of 2021/22 season
Francois Hougaard has played 46 Tests for South Africa between 2009 and 2017
©PA
Wasps have announced the signing of scrum-half Francois Hougaard from Premiership rivals Worcester Warriors ahead of the 2020/21s season.
Hougaard started his professional rugby career with Western Province in 2007 before joining Blue Bulls a year later. After playing for Bulls in the Super Rugby, the 32-year-old join Worcester Warriors ahead of the 2016/17 season and has gone on to make over 80 appearances for them including 73 Premiership games for them.
“I am massively excited to be joining such a great club in Wasps. They have some brilliant players and play a wonderful brand of rugby," he told the official website of the club.
“I was hugely impressed by the ambition of the club and the vision and philosophy of the coaches.
“I can’t wait to continue my career with a new challenge and hopefully I can make a difference to what is already a great squad.”
Hougaard made his international debut for South Africa in 2009 and has gone on to play 46 Tests with his last appearance coming in September 2017. He also featured in five games for the Springboks in the 2011 World Cup.
Hougaard also represented South Africa Under 20 side and was part of the bronze medal winning South Africa Sevens side during the 2016 Olympics.
“We are delighted to sign an exciting player like Francois for next season," said Wasps head coach Lee Blackett.
“We are lucky to have some very talented young 9’s and 10’s at the club, but with Dan Robson often away on international duty, we feel adding Francois’ experience will be invaluable to the balance of youth and experience within the team.
“Francois has been a proven Premiership operator with Worcester for a number of years now and we are looking forward to seeing him put in some top performances in a Black and Gold shirt next season.
“We are all looking forward to working with him and believe he will be an extremely positive influence on our squad.”
Wasps are currently at the 10th place in the Gallagher Premiership table with five wins from 13 games.
