Former Bok flyhalf Derick Hougaard fighting for his life in ICU

Netwerk24 reported on Sunday that the 40-year-old has been in a coma in ICU at the Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria for the past week, reportedly with a serious infection in his lungs.

Hougaard's girlfriend, the singer Nadine, later confirmed to Jacaranda FM News that the former Bok was admitted to hospital on Saturday 10 June with respiratory pneumonia.

"Yes, Derick has been in hospital since last Saturday, he is in the ICU ward with respiratory pneumonia. He has wonderful doctors and nurses working on him," said Nadine.

"We appreciate everybody's support and prayers including positive messages on social media. At this point we can only pray and hope for the best."

Hougaard played over 100 games for the Bulls between 2002 and 2008 and also earned eight Springbok caps, which included an appearance at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He also had stints with Leicester Tigers and Saracens in England.

He amassed 69 points during his brief Bok career, scoring two tries and adding 13 conversions, 10 penalties and a drop goal.

But it was with the Bulls that Hougaard enjoyed the majority of his success. He became a crowd favourite in Pretoria, earning him the nickname the 'Liefling [darling] of Loftus'.

Hougaard famously broke Naas Botha's 15-year record for points scored in a Currie Cup final when he added 26 points in the 2002 final against the Golden Lions, which the Bulls won 31-7.