Sapa-AFP Former Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard enjoyed a winning debut for Leicester Tigers on Saturday, kicking 14 points in the 19-15 Anglo-Welsh Cup win over Bath in English rugby.

Hougaard, 25, playing under his former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer, has been forced to wait to take centre stage for the English giants because of a shoulder injury, but he made up for lost time with three penalties, a drop goal and the conversion of Ben Young’s try. “It’s great to have a guy who is used to playing tactically and we used our chances better in the game,” said Meyer. “You need a very good No10 in these competitions and Derrick is a good tactical player who can turn a game around. “He will be one of the best players in the [English] Premiership, especially as he learns to play in different conditions. He’s got a lot to offer.” The fans were deprived of seeing an all-South African kicking duel when Bath, with one eye on their European Cup opener against Toulouse next week, rested Springbok flyhalf Butch James. Elsewhere, Gloucester beat Wasps, who rested England star flyhalf Danny Cipriani, 24-19 at Kingsholm while Northampton romped to a 30-17 home win over Bristol.

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