Derick Hougaard was once a rugby superstar. Throughout his career, he played for the Bulls and South Africa. Unfortunately, he hasn't prospered post his playing days.
He has developed addiction problems and his personal life has gone to hell. It has gotten so low that he's had to resort to a GoFundMe page.
Derrick Hougaard has sparked concern that he has hit rock bottom after a troubling social media post went viral. In it, the former Springbok made a public cry for help.
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.
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. 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.
Over the years, the retired rugby player – fondly known as the “Liefling van Loftus” – has made multiple headlines for his personal life. From substance abuse to messy break-ups to reportedly going through financial hardships.
Derick Hougaard’s stint as a Springbok player was cut short due to multiple head injuries. He had just 8 test caps for the national team.
However, the flyhalf had a decorated career as a Bulls player – where he was known as the "Liefling van Loftus" – playing over 100 total matches, including 43 Super Rugby caps and 68 Currie Cup appearances for the team between 2002 and 2008.
In 2003, the star athlete suffered a significant blow to the head during the Rugby World Cup. This, after he was knocked out by Samoa’s Brian Lima in a brutal yet legal tackle, according to SA Rugby.
Speaking to Jacaranda FM in 2015, after announcing his official retirement, Derick stated that years of concussions had left him with headaches and forgetfulness.
He said, "All the head injuries and knocks I took on the rugby field are now catching up with me." He received a diagnosis of permanent post-concussion syndrome.
Fast forward to 2023, Derick Hougaard was found unresponsive in his Pretoria home by his then-girlfriend, Nadine. He spent the next few weeks in a medically induced coma in the ICU after contracting respiratory pneumonia.
According to the Citizen, Derick was later admitted to a Gauteng psychiatric hospital over his pain and sleeping pill addiction. The former Bok had been living in the home of controversial diamond dealer, Louis Liebenberg in an attempt to stay clean. However, he reportedly relapsed, forcing his family to take drastic measures.
In the 2023 KykNET docuseries, Hougaard: Liefling van Loftus, Derick admitted to heavy drinking and dependency on sleeping pills and pain medication.
He also claimed he had spiralled into a deep depression after his rugby career was cut short. In the self-titled 2023 biography, Derick Hougaard, author Brendan Nel wrote about the player’s long history of addiction.
An excerpt from an interview in the book reflected on Derick’s struggle to adapt to life after rugby.
He said, "This is one of the biggest gaps in my life. I always knew rugby was my passion, yes. But you don’t realise how big a role it plays in your life until you lose it. You don’t realise how big a void it will cause when you are no longer actively involved in it."
Derick then again admitted to his addiction struggles: “It takes a man to ask for help or to admit that you need help. There are ugly and difficult times behind me, especially when I mix the pills and booze.
Since hanging up his boots, Derick Hougaard’s personal life has grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons…
Derick and Afrikaans singer, Karlien van Jaarsveld, had a messy divorce in 2015.
Despite being considered the darlings of South African celebrity couples, their two-year marriage was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, his former spouse later said.
In a Facebook post in 2018, Karlien claimed that her ex-husband had a "pill and alcohol addiction" and had been "in and out of rehabilitation centres several times”. She added that Derick had not paid for the children’s upkeep.
In 2024, Derick also split from his girlfriend Nadine; who is also a singer. According to Nuusflits, the break-up was over his alleged "dependency" on the entertainer.
In 2019, their relationship made headlines when images of Derick in bed with a mystery blonde woman went viral, reported Jacaranda FM. In 2018, Derick Hougaard courted controversy after his ex-wife Karlien reported their twin boys, Eliah and Daniel, missing. At the time, the boys were in their father’s custody during a night out.
She shared on Instagram alongside a picture of them: "We can’t find my sons. Derick is drunk; we don’t know where the children are! This is how they look. Please help to search!"
Karlien revealed that her children had been "found" an hour later. Derick took to X to clear up the confusion, posting a picture of himself with his sleeping children at a restaurant. He later admitted that he had "too much to drink" but that his children were "never in any danger."
After their divorce, Derick Hougaard made headlines in 2016 for demanding his R100k wedding ring back from Karlien. The singer’s brother Bobby van Jaarsveld also waded into the drama, telling Derick to stop "harassing" his sister.
According to TimesLive, Derick responded by saying, "Imagine what R100 000 over 20 years could mean for the twins? The right thing to do would be to invest the money for the twins, instead of just laying in a drawer."
In 2024, Derick Hougaard was last seen in the public eye after he claimed to be living with controversial diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, who has since been arrested over charges of fraud, theft, racketeering, and money laundering.
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.
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."
However, the GoFundMe dedicated to raising funds to former Springbok Derick Hougaard has hit a standstill.
The crowdfunding campaign was created after the retired rugby player appealed to the public for assistance, after cryptically claiming that he was in "big trouble."
Without revealing what issues he has been tackling, the former rugby ace shared his story on Facebook; three years after slipping into a coma with lung issues.
After saying he is looking for new opportunities, a GoFundMe was launched on 28 July by Lizelle Gers for "rent, food and monthly bills." She wrote of the campaign: “A few years ago, Derick faced one of the biggest challenges of his life.
"During his lengthy stay in ICU, life didn’t stop. Like so many people who endure a serious medical crisis, financial commitments continued to grow, and he fell behind on his payments."
"Thankfully, Derick has recovered and is healthy again, but the financial burden from that difficult period remains.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."
Hougaard shared the link on his Facebook account and now fans are divided.
One fan wrote: "Derick, you have HUGE talent and a lot to give back to rugby. Start a rugby consultancy. Use your knowledge and rugby brilliance. That can be easily turned into something great - and most importantly, income."
Another was less forgiving. She wrote: "You know what, I have to work just to pay for my accommodation. I can’t even dream of retiring one day. Life has already thrown its turns with me; it doesn’t help to cry... One has to go on. Start looking for a job, instead of standing in the back."
Unfortunately, not all retired stars can live normal lives. Some do struggle with addictions. It's up to them to go to rehab and seek help. It has to be managed properly.
I do believe a GoFundMe page isn't the way to go. Those pages should be used for ordinary people and causes who could really use the help.