REPORT: The latest on Hougaard and Bulls deal

TRANSFER TALK: Springboks Francois Hougaard’s return to South Africa has just hit another speedbump.

The Springbok has been linked with a move back to the Bulls franchise from Worcester Warriors, Rugbypass reported in January.

According to the online media outlet, negotiations between the 32-year-old and the Bulls were successful and was rumoured to have already signed with the Pretoria side.

However, on Sunday,  South African newspaper Rapport revealed that Hougaard is contemplating extending his stay in Europe in order to obtain British citizenship.

Having moved to England in 2016, Hougaard will qualify to apply for British citizenship at the end of the 2021 season.

Hougaard joined the Worcester Warriors in 2016, after spending eight seasons with the Super Rugby franchise Bulls between 2008 and 2015.

#SPOTLIGHT! How @BlueBullsRugby director of Rugby Jake White managed to paint South Africa blue!
➡️ White’s open letter to the #BullsFamily24
➡️ “These players took their mandate – to win trophies,”https://t.co/inBHO1yheU

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) February 5, 2021

On the international front, Hougaard has won 46 caps for South Africa and was part of his country’s 2011 Rugby World Cup squad and 2016 Rio Olympics Sevens squad, where he picked up a bronze medal.

In 2018 Hougaard committed his long-term future to Worcester Warriors by signing a new contract to keep him at Sixways until 2021, a contract which is now coming to an end.

Hougaard’s return will be a major boost for Jake White’s side, who have already lost the services of  Europe-bound scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have confirmed that they had captured No.8 Marcell Coetzee from Ulster and they have also been linked with Montpellier fullback-cum-flyhalf Johan Goosen, who is set to choose between the Bulls and his former side, the Cheetahs.

Source: Rapport & Rugbypass