Bulls halfback Francois Hougaard will miss the Super Rugby clash with New Zealand visitors the Blues in Pretoria this weekend after receiving a one-week ban.

Hougaard, who replaced Fourie du Preez this season after the Springbok joined a Japanese club, was found guilty of a dangerous tackle on Cheetahs centre Robert Ebersohn during a 51-19 triumph last Saturday.

While he ifted his opponent off the ground and then dropped him, a statement from the competition organisers said Hougaard’s good disciplinary record was taken into account when passing sentence.