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03 October 2019 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Gallo Images
Lappies Labuschagne
Lappies Labuschagné got his first rugby contract with the Cheetahs after impressing for the Shimlas. He is now playing for Japan – the first Shimla to do so.

Former Shimla Lappies Labuschagné made his ex-coach Jaco Swanepoel proud when he was recently included in the Japan Rugby World Cup (RWC) squad.

Labuschagné, made his debut for Japan on 28 September as captain shortly before the tournament, which is currently under way there, then led Japan to a historic win over Ireland, the world’s fourth-ranked team.


Labuschagné has been playing his rugby in Japan since 2016. Previously, he played for the Shimlas between 2009 and 2012 and captained the team in 2012. At that time, Swanepoel was the head coach of the Shimlas. 

“I’m extremely glad that he got his chance to play in the World Cup, just to prove that he can compete at that level. It was wonderful to see the leadership we knew he had on Saturday,” Swanepoel said.

He believes Labuschagné was unlucky not to have played for the Springboks. In 2013, he was called up to the South African squad, but failed to force his way into the congested Springbok back row. 

“Subjectivity in team selection was the reason that he wasn’t considered. He deserved to be selected and he worked extremely hard. I don’t know of a player who worked harder than him. Nobody wanted to work out with him in the gymnasium, because he always put in extra effort. That made him special.”

Swanepoel describes Labuschagné as a “very special person”.

“Lappies the human being is perhaps a little bit better than Lappies the rugby player.”  

“Hopefully we can get a Japan rugby jersey from him to display in the Shimla room soon,” Swanepoel added.

Labuschagné isn’t the only former Kovsie at the RWC. In the Springbok management team, Rassie Erasmus (head coach), Jacques Nienaber (defence coach), and Vivian Verwant (physiotherapist) are also former Kovsies.


News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus presents Indigenous Knowledge Symposium
2009-11-16

The Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State recently hosted its second Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Symposium.

The event, organised by Mr Stoffel Kok and Ms Zuki Ketiw from the campus’s Library Management, was a great success with more than 70 persons attending.

There was a potpourri of presentations. Mr Magaiza, from the Department of Sociology started the morning with his presentation “Polar bear in the Sahara”, and set the standard for the morning. He was followed by the Departmental Head, Dr Crause. Other speakers included Mr Hahanke from the Department of Arts, Culture and Sports and the Qwaqwa Campus Head Dr Elias Malete. Two lecturers from the National University of Lesotho (NUL) also gave presentations. Ms Lechasa from the NUL gave a talk on the orality of the Basotho and Mr Mosaase, also from the NUL, followed her with a related talk on the Basotho’s indigenous craft. Some indigenous dancing items were also provided by learners from the Mpetha Secondary School.
Photo: Supplied

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