Former Bok flyhalf Derick Hougaard released from hospital

Former Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard has been released from hospital after battling respiratory pneumonia.

Hougaard has spent the last three weeks fighting for his life at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. On 10 June, he was found unconscious in his Pretoria home by his partner, Nadine.

The flyhalf, who represented the Springboks at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, was reportedly given a 50 percent chance of waking up from his coma. Fortunately, he recovered significantly and was given the all-clear to return home over the weekend.

"I can't believe it, it's been very rough," Nadine told Rapport.

"He is not out and about, but he is at home. He is, at the moment, extremely weak and can't really hold a conversation, as his vocal cords are still swollen."

Hougaard, also known as the Liefling van Loftus, scored no less than 712 points for his beloved Blue Bulls before heading to the northern hemisphere to wrap up his career with Leicester Tigers and finally Saracens.