In February 2016, Hougaard signed a short-term contract with English Premiership club Worcester Warriors for the remainder of the 2015–2016 season.

Hougaard helped his team to win both the Currie Cup in 2009, and the Super Rugby title in 2010, scoring tries in both finals At the 2011 Rugby World Cup Hougaard was selected and joined off the bench for South Africa's opening match scoring in the 65th minute in a 17–16 win over Wales.

He was however dropped for the second game against Fiji which South Africa won 49-3 but started against Namibia in which he scored two tries and came off the bench against Samoa.

However, he was moved to the wing and his place at scrum half taken by the talented Ruan Pienaar in the first Championship Test against Australia on 8 September 2012.

Hougaard was a member of the South African Sevens team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.