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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

Nkanyezi Talk @UFS looks at gender in the 21st century
2013-08-28

 
Lively debates and conversations as students discuss the topic of gender in the 21st century.
28 August 2013
Photo: Linda Fekisi

Students gathered at the CR Swart Senate Hall for the second Nkanyezi Talk @UFS dialogue session. Nkanyezi Talk @UFS is a student initiative that gives students a platform to voice their thoughts and ideas about issues affecting them during and after their university life.

The August-inspired topic, Gender in the 21st century, focused mainly on women. The talk looked at women in the workplace, the role that the media plays in redefining women and how South Africans can integrate the works of theorists on gender into their everyday lives.

A panel of guest speakers included Ace Moloi, former news editor of the Irawa student newspaper at the University of the Free State and News24 contributor, Leah Molatseli, an associate attorney at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, and Bongi Tsoleli, who is the chairperson of a portfolio in the Free State Legislature.

“We need to take own initiative as students. We need to understand what they want, as well as the issues they are confronted with,” says Bongani Zwane, founder member of Nkanyezi Talk.

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