Francois Hougaard has been ruled out of the Springboks’ end-of-year tour due to a shoulder injury.

Hougaard, who started the last four Tests of the Rugby Championship on the wing for the Boks, returned to his English club Worcester with the injury, which will require surgery.

In a statement, Worcester said that they were extremely disappointed that Hougaard had returned to the club with an undiagnosed injury.

‘Hougaard visited specialist consultants following the diagnosis and was given an MRI scan to allow the club to fully understand the extent of the injury. The scan confirmed that Hougaard will need a biceps tenodesis and rotator cuff repair and will be ruled out of action for 10 to 12 weeks.’

Hougaard’s injury will likely result in a recall for Leicester’s JP Pietersen, while Ruan Combrinck should make a return after overcoming a leg injury.

The Boks’ squad for the end-of-year tour will be named after the Currie Cup final on Saturday.

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