WORCESTER Warriors could lose livewire scrum-half Francois Hougaard for up to six games at the start of the Aviva Premiership season.

Hougaard is thought to be in contention for a recall to the South African Test squad for the Rugby Championship, which begin next month.

The Springboks have not yet named their squad to take on New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the four-nation annual tournament.

But Warriors head coach Carl Hogg believes Hougaard will “at least be knocking on the door” for the Springboks "at some point".

The tournament does not start until August 20 because of the Olympics and runs until October 8.

That timeframe takes in Warriors' Premiership matches against Saracens, Gloucester, Bath, Sale Sharks, Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers.

Should the influential Hougaard be picked for Test duty, Warriors could turn to vastly-experienced half-back Jonny Arr.

Arr suffered a serious knee injury in January but is back to fitness and  travelling with Warriors next week to France for an intensive training camp.

Hougaard is currently in Brazil as a travelling reserve for the South African Sevens team at the Olympics in Rio.

Hogg said: “I am sure he’s disappointed (to be a reserve for South Africa Sevens) but he’s travelling out to Rio.

“You never wish anyone to get injured but I am sure he’s looking for opportunities in Rio and we will see how he travels.

"We expect him back (before the start of the season).

“But there’s also the Rugby Championship with South Africa and Francois, at some point, will at least be knocking on the door so we will wait and see.”

Hougaard has played 35 Tests for the Springboks but has not featured for his country in the 15-a-side game since a match against Wales in Cardiff in November 2014.

Earlier this year, Warriors’ then director of rugby Dean Ryan backed 28-year-old Hougaard to make a return to the Test fold.

Hougaard arrived at Sixways in February and was the catalyst for Warriors’ upturn in form as they climbed to Premiership safety last season.

With Hougaard pulling the strings from nine, Warriors won four successive top-tier matches for the first time in their history.

He has played nine times for Worcester so far, scoring twice, and was named as the Aviva Premiership player of the month for March.

Hougaard has previously picked up two Super Rugby titles in South Africa with the Bulls in 2009 and 2010.

He signed a long-term deal at Sixways before returning to complete his duties with the Springbok Sevens squad ahead of the Olympics.