IN-FORM scrum-half Francois Hougaard admits he would love to reignite his international career with South Africa.

The 28-year-old is playing for the Springbok Sevens but has not featured for the 15-a-side squad since a Test against Wales in Cardiff in November 2014.

Hougaard says he is “pushing” for a return to the full South African squad but is not raising his hopes of an international recall.

“It’s not in my hands but who wouldn’t want to play for their country?,” said Hougaard, who has won 35 Tests.

“I am pushing for that (a return to the spring South Africa team) but I am taking it week by week.

“My focus is with the Warriors now and we will see what happens after that.

“Playing for South Africa again is not in my hands and we will see what happens when they announce the squads.

“If I don’t make it, it’s not anything I am not used to.”

Hougaard has starred for Warriors since arriving in February, but is now linking up with the Springbok Sevens in the lead up the Rio Olympics.

He will be playing for his country at the HSBC Word Rugby Sevens rounds in Paris and London on May 13, 14 and 15 and May 21 and 22 respectively.

The Springboks 15-a-side squad are preparing for a three Test series against Ireland, starting in Cape Town on June 11.

The second Test is at Johannesburg on June 18 before the final match against Ireland at Port Elizabeth seven days later.

Hougaard, who was the Aviva Premiership player for March, said: “I am obviously not getting my hopes up and it doesn’t really faze me but obviously the end goal is to play for South Africa at the end of the day.

“I am very happy at Worcester Warriors and I am really enjoying my time at the club.

“Next up for me is the Sevens series in Paris and London.

“The Olympics are still quite far ahead in August.

“I have to make the team first and there’s a lot of pre-season training and I will have to go through that.”