Hougaard joins Sarries as injury cover

Francois Hougaard has signed for Saracens on a short-term deal as injury cover on the wing, less than a week after The Rugby Paper reported he was planning on staying in the UK instead of accepting a move to Japan.

Former South African international Hougaard, who has 46 caps for his national team and won an Olympic bronze with the sevens set-up in 2016, was made redundant along with every other Wasps player and coach when the team went into administration on 17 October.

He had joined Wasps from Worcester Warriors at the beginning of last season, and continued his long stay in England with three appearances on the Barbarians’ tour to the country against Harlequins, Bath and Northampton Saints.

Saracens boss Mark McCall was delighted with the signing, which is Sarries’ fifth short-term deal to come from the two Premiership clubs now in administration: Wasps and Worcester.

He said: “Francois is a player with great experience and we are excited to see the impact he can make with us over the coming months.”

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