Blue Bulls suffer Hougaard blow

Tuesday 08th July 2008

Injured... again: Derick Hougaard

Injured... again: Derick Hougaard

Blue Bulls fly-half Derick Hougaard has now been ruled out of action for four weeks after tearing a shoulder muscle.

Hougaard returned to the team after a prolonged absence when he came on as a substitute during the Currie Cup match against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld last weekend.

The former Springbok pivot was only on the field for a few moments before he tore his pectoral muscle. It is, however, only a grade two tear and he therefore does not need to undergo an operation.

He had missed the early part of the campaign because of a boil on the buttocks and he was injured before he got back into his stride again.

Burton Francis is now expected to be the replacement number ten when the Blue Bulls play current Currie Cup holders, the Cheetahs, on Saturday.

Gallery - Heineken Cup: Round One

Munster are given a fright by Montauban before winning 19-17 Perpignan also struggle to victory, eventually beating Treviso 27-16 Luke McAlister is the hero for Sale as the beat Clermont 32-15 in France