Hougaard looking at his options

 

Injuries to Fourie du Preez and Ruan Pienaar handed Hougaard a rare opportunity to start at scrumhalf for the Springboks against the Wallabies at Newlands last week, and he played well enough to be named man of the match.

 

His physicality and defensive commitment saw him make some crucial tackles, whilst he also posed an attacking threat with a few sniping runs around the fringes, but he knows it was by no means the complete performance.

 

Hougaard's value as a utility player means that his development as a scrumhalf has been somewhat stunted by a lack of regular game-time, so he knows that he needs to make the most of these chances to start in the No.9 jersey.

 

Although coming in for praise for his performance at Newlands, Hougaard wants to improve his decision-making in the big showdown with the All Blacks at Ellis Park.

 

"I made a few silly mistakes, but I can always work harder and try to fix that. 

 

"I think about some running lines, which runners to play at which times, at crucial times in the game like on the tryline not skipping passes and stuff like that. They are small areas but they need some work," he said.

 

Although the Springboks would have got a lot of confidence and momentum from the way they finished their match against the Wallabies, they know that it will be a big challenge this weekend against the All Blacks who have already wrapped up the Rugby Championship.

 

"We just need to keep our feet on the ground and also work hard at the things that we do well and stick to our structures.

 

"I think it gives the guys hope because you can see what we really can do, especially in the last 10 minutes against a quality side like Australia and if you believe in your structuress and the way you play it is possible," he said.

 

Some were surprised with the amount of possession that the Springboks enjoyed against the Wallabies, and Hougaard says the focus is on forcing the All Blacks to make just as many tackles this weekend.

 

"I think the main thing is to keep the ball as long as you can and eventually you will put points on the board," he explained.

 

He added that the challenge will be to play at ful intensity for a full 80 minutes as the All Blacks will punish any lapses in concentration.

 

"I don't believe that there has been a full game this year where we have played to our full potential, obviously sections in certain games but I think we must just work harder and do the things that we do really well," he said.