Derick Hougaard is a famous South African rugby player, known for his excellent performance as a midfielder, nicknamed “Liefling van Loftus” due to his great popularity at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
He had a significant impact on rugby with his incredible kicking ability and played for teams such as the Blue Bulls, Leicester Tigers and Saracens.
His football career, along with his struggles and health problems, kept him in the public eye for many years.
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- – Full name: Derick Jacobus Hougaard
- – Nickname: Liefling van Loftus
- – Date of birth: January 4, 1983
- – Age: 41 years old
- – Gender: Male
- – Place of birth: Citrusdal, South Africa
- – Nationality: South African
- – Occupation: Former professional rugby player
- – Height: 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch)
- – Parents: Bontes Hougaard (father), Riana Hougaard (mother)
- – Siblings: None
- – Spouse: Karlien van Jaarsveld (divorced)
- – Children: Eliah Hougaard, Daniel Hougaard
- – Relationship status: Single
- – Religion: None
- – Ethnicity: Afrikaner
- – Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Derick Hougaard was born on January 4, 1983 in Citrusdal, South Africa. He is now 41 years old. He grew up in a supportive family environment, with his parents Bontes and Riana Hougaard encouraging him to pursue rugby from a young age.
Derick attended Boland Agricultural High School in Paarl, where he began to show his talent for rugby. His impressive rugby performances at school laid the foundation for his future professional career. After graduating from high school, he continued to pursue rugby, eventually catching the eye of professional scouts and coaches.
Personal life
Derick Hougaard married South African singer Karlien van Jaarsveld in 2013. The couple had two sons, Eliah and Daniël. However, their marriage faced many challenges, mainly due to Derick’s struggles with prescription drug and alcohol addiction. These issues eventually led to their divorce in 2015.
Derick has faced personal struggles since his divorce, including a tumultuous split from his girlfriend, singer Nadine Hoffeldt. His well-documented struggles with addiction and health issues have contributed to his tumultuous personal life.
Career
Derick Hougaard’s professional rugby career began with the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup, where he quickly made a name for himself. In the 2002 Currie Cup final, he scored 26 points, surpassing the previous record held by Naas Botha.
His talent on the field earned him the affectionate nickname “Liefling van Loftus.” In 2003, Hougaard made his international debut for the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup and made an immediate impact, scoring 48 points in the tournament.
Hougaard then joined Leicester Tigers in England and later played for Saracens. Career highlights include leading the Bulls to victory in the Super 14 and scoring all of the Bulls’ points in the 2007 semi-final against the Canterbury Crusaders. Despite a promising start, his career was marred by injury and health problems, leading to his early retirement in 2015.
Prize
- – Currie Cup Winner (2002, 2004)
- – Super 14 Champion (2007)
- – Record holder for highest score in a Super Rugby semi-final (2007)
Net worth
Derick Hougaard’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. His income comes mainly from his football career, endorsement deals, and other ventures.
Argumentative
Several controversies and personal struggles have marked Derick Hougaard’s life off the pitch. His battle with prescription drug and alcohol addiction has been a major theme in his post-retirement life.
In 2018, his ex-wife, Karlien van Jaarsveld, publicly revealed that Derick had failed to pay child support for their two sons and had struggled with substance abuse for years. The admission highlighted his struggles managing his personal life after retiring from professional sport.
In 2023, Derick made headlines again when he was found unconscious at his home, leading to a 13-day coma due to pneumonia.
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