They used to call him the Liefling of Loftus. Now, Derick Hougaard is calling for help.

The former Springbok flyhalf has shared a GoFundMe campaign after opening up about crippling financial difficulties following years of devastating health challenges that have left him struggling to keep his head above water.

On 28 July 2026, the retired rugby player encouraged supporters to back the fundraiser, posting on social media: “Every little bit helps,” as donations slowly began trickling in for a man who once commanded standing ovations at Loftus Versfeld.

The “Together for Derick Hougaard” campaign was created by supporter Lizelle Gers, a Springbok fan who felt compelled to act after witnessing Hougaard’s plight. According to the GoFundMe page, the fundraiser aims to help the former Springbok settle outstanding expenses that accumulated during his lengthy illness and recovery.

From hero to hardship

Hougaard, has admitted he is in “big trouble” on his social media platforms, a heartbreaking confession from a player who graced Test rugby and Super Rugby with sublime skill.

The retired flyhalf hung up his boots in 2015 after a series of head injuries forced him into premature retirement. But the challenges didn’t end when the playing days stopped. His personal life has been marked by high-profile relationship splits, substance abuse struggles, and a terrifying stint in the ICU that brought him perilously close to death.

Hougaard has admitted to keeping a low profile for the past two years to protect his privacy, away from the glare that once followed his every move. But silence can only last so long when the bills keep arriving.

The health crisis that changed everything

Since his catastrophic health setback in 2023, when he spent weeks in a coma after contracting respiratory pneumonia, Hougaard has spent extensive time in rehabilitation. But the pneumonia wasn’t the only battle. Hougaard is believed to have spent time in a psychiatric hospital battling addiction to prescription pills, a struggle that afflicts countless former athletes.

The medical and rehabilitation expenses from such prolonged treatment are staggering. Add to that the inability to work because of ongoing health complications, and the financial spiral becomes inevitable.

The campaign to help

Gers’ fundraiser, created under the “rent, food and monthly bills” category, stated plainly that Hougaard fell on hard times after the series of health challenges left him “behind on his payments.”

Her appeal to the rugby community and broader South African public was heartfelt and direct.

“He has recently reached out for help, and I believe this is our opportunity to stand behind someone who once gave so much to South African rugby,” Gers wrote.

“If each of us contributes just a little, together we can make a meaningful difference. No donation is too small. Whether you’re in South Africa or anywhere else in the world, let’s show Derick that he is not alone and that the rugby community and South Africans never forget those who have proudly represented us.

“Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this fundraiser with your family and friends is another powerful way to help. Together, we can show Derick Hougaard that he’s not facing this journey alone.”

The career that was

For those too young to remember, Derick Hougaard was a genuine star. A gifted flyhalf with a booming boot and silky skills, he represented the Springboks and became a Bulls legend during their golden era. His nickname, Liefling van Loftus, captured the adoration Pretoria’s faithful held for their number 10.

But rugby can be a cruel mistress. The head injuries that ended his playing career at just 32 years old robbed him of years he should have had at the top level.

For a few years after retirement, Hougaard worked as a rugby commentator on SuperSport, keeping his hand in the game he loved. But that too ended badly when he was sacked in 2017 over controversial comments about transformation in South African rugby.

Before landing in the ICU, Hougaard had established his own private rugby school, specialising in his areas of expertise: goal kicking, line kicking, and tactical kicking.

Beyond the Headlines

It’s easy to reduce stories like this to cautionary tales about financial planning or the perils of fame. But Hougaard’s situation is more complex and more human than that.

This is about a man who suffered catastrophic health setbacks that would bankrupt most people. This is about post-career struggles that afflict countless former athletes who find themselves unmoored when the structure and identity of professional sport disappears. This is about addiction, mental health, and the reality that rugby, for all its beauty, can destroy bodies and leave players facing decades of consequences.