Career
He is currently playing for on loan from the South African Sevens national team His primary position is scrumhalf, but he can also play on the wing. He also represented South Africa between and 2014 and joined the South African Sevens team in 2015.
His first tour with the Springboks was to France, Italy, Ireland and England in late where he played in one test against Italy on 21 November and two touring matches.
In the Super Rugby season, he showed great promise, adapting to his self-proclaimed preferred position of scrum half in the absence of Fourie Du Preez, very well, and as a result, landed a position in the Springbok World Cup Squad for the tournament. At school he played for Paul Roos Gymnasium.
South Africa was however knocked out of the cup, losing 11-9 to Australia. Hougaard came on in the 50th minute during that match.
Hougaard started all five games at scrum half against England and Argentina and scored one try against England.
However, he was moved to the wing and his place at scrum half taken by the talented Ruan Pienaar in the first Championship Test against Australia on 8 September 2012. Signed a one-season contract with Société Anonyme Rugby to represent the Blitzboks in the Household Bank World Rugby Sevens Series and at the Rio Olympics. Played in the first four legs of the 2015/16 series and scored the winning try in the 3rd/4th playoff against Australia at the Dubai 7s.
In February 2016, Hougaard signed a short-term contract with English Premiership club for the remainder of the 2015-2016 season.
He made his debut for his new side in their match against Sale Sharks, marking the occasion by scoring a try in a 31–23 victory and also put in a man-of-the-match performance in their 15–14 victory over the Newcastle Falcons two weeks later. On 15 March 2016, it was announced that Hougaard signed a permanent contract with the team, but would be allowed to link up with the South African sevens team to participate at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.