Derick Hougaard
Brain scans done on Derick Hougaard have revealed good news for the former Springbok and Bulls flyhalf.
The former star No 10 underwent tests in a Johannesburg hospital last week after he complained he was forgetting things, as well as suffering from headaches.
He quipped more tests were done on him than “Richie McCaw played Tests for the All Blacks”.
“Luckily, it was all good news. It showed there was minor damage and confirmed I have problems with my short-term memory, but in time it could recover 100%,” said Hougaard.
“Luckily my condition was diagnosed soon enough and I can control it with medication. Indications are that the damage is not permanent and it should not influence my quality of life going forward.”
Apart from the medication, Hougaard will do brain exercises as well as alter his lifestyle a bit.
Hougaard said he still harboured hopes of playing rugby after an Achilles injury cut short his career in 2012.
“It always felt as if I never properly said farewell to rugby. I actually never retired… until last week, when I realised in the hospital that it was the end of ‘Liefling’ (his nickname among Bulls fans).
“It was the Lord’s way of telling me that I should let it go.”
Hougaard, 32, played 8 Tests for the Springboks between 2003 and 2007. He also played for Leicester Tigers and Saracens in England and is nowadays a commentator and pundit for pay-channel, SuperSport.
Sport24