The Vodacom Bulls are in discussions to sign both Francois Hougaard and Johan Goosen. CRAIG LEWIS reports.

Hougaard, 33, has been plying his trade for the Worcester Warriors since 2016, having made the move to the English club after eight years with the Bulls.

SARugbymag.co.za has now received confirmation that he is in the Bulls’ plans – as also reported by Netwerk24 on Sunday – and it’s expected that he could make a return to Pretoria later this year.

Hougaard, who is capable of playing as a scrumhalf or on the wing, has 46 Test caps to his name, and would add all-important experience to the Bulls as they get set to enter northern hemisphere competition.

With scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl also in line to join former English Premiership champions Saracens in July this year, the recruitment of Hougaard would make particular sense.

Meanwhile, Goosen has been linked with a possible move to the Bulls for some time as the Pretoria-based franchise has been on the look out for another flyhalf option to add to their squad.

Although there was also talk that Montpellier-based Goosen could consider instead returning to South Africa to play for the Cheetahs, that no longer seems on the cards.

It’s believed that Pretoria is now his expected destination, and that he could complete the move once his contract with Montpellier ends in June.

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