Pieter Hermias Cornelius Labuschagné (ピーター ラブスカフニ, Pītā Rabusukafuni, born 11 January 1989) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Japan Rugby League One club Kubota Spears. Born in South Africa, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.

Lappies Labuschagné
Labuschagné representing Kubota Spears during the Top League
Full namePieter Hermias Cornelius Labuschagné
Date of birth (1989-01-11) 11 January 1989 (age 35)
Place of birthPretoria, South Africa
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight107 kg (236 lb; 16 st 12 lb)
SchoolGrey College, Bloemfontein
UniversityUniversity of the Free State
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Kubota Spears
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2012 UFS Shimlas 15 (5)
2011–2014 Free State Cheetahs 44 (55)
2011 Emerging Cheetahs 1 (0)
2012 Free State XV 2 (0)
2012–2014 Cheetahs 27 (10)
2015–2016 Bulls 23 (25)
2015–2016 Blue Bulls 11 (10)
2016– Kubota Spears 70 (50)
2018 Sunwolves 7 (5)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019– Japan 16 (5)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Club career

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Labuschagné represented the Bulls in Super Rugby and previously played with the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup.[1] He has also previously captained the UFS Shimlas in the Varsity Cup.[2]

Labuschagné moved to the Japanese Top League prior to the 2016–17 season, signing with the Kubota Spears.[3]

International career

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Labuschagné was called up to the South Africa squad for the 2013 mid-year rugby union tests against Italy, Scotland and Samoa, but he did not feature in any of the matches for Springboks.[4]

In 2019, he debuted for Japan. He represented Japan at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and captained them in their Pool A victory over Ireland.

References

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  1. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Lappies Labuschagné". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Shimlas have the need for speed". varsitycup.co.za. Archived from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  3. ^ 2016年度クボタスピアーズ 新入団選手(追加)のお知らせ [2016 Kubota Spears – Announcement of new joining players (additional)] (Press release). Kubota Spears. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  4. ^ "New faces in Springbok squad". Sport 24. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
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