This is an exerpt from an article by Ryan Vrede, the same chap who was too pessimistic on Pollard. Still, he seems like a smart chap and produces opinions, not just warmed over news like most of our "reporters". In this case I couldn't agree more:
" There is an outside chance that coach Heyneke Meyer will look beyond Hougaard as his starting scrumhalf, although, having selected him in the match 23 for all the tournament's Tests thus far, it's hard to see this happening. It bears discussing nonetheless, and there are strong and ever-growing calls for the Sharks' Cobus Reinach to be granted an opportunity.
Reinach was consistently good in the Sharks' Super Rugby campaign, but failed to impose himself in their matches against the tournament's elite teams like he would against lesser ones. This raised some concerns because it gives you insight into the mental constitution of the player. In Reinach's case, I'm not convinced he has the mettle to be considered the answer for the Springboks in the position.
But all eyes should be trained on Hougaard when the Springboks resume in a fortnight. Meyer has some time to work with Hougaard one-on-one without the pressure of a match on a Saturday and this will undoubtedly benefit him. Whether that translates into Hougaard being able to deliver the level of performance that contributes to a Springbok victory against the Wallabies at Newlands remains to be seen.
Now in his sixth year as a professional (in which period he has mostly been a run-on starter), Hougaard's shortcomings can no longer be written off as those of a rookie, and he can't be accommodated in Springbok squads on the basis of what the selectors believe his potential to be. My position is that he would be far better deployed as a winger, but it appears that option is off the table.
In light of this, it's time for Hougaard, as a scrumhalf, to shape up or ship out."
