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Cape Town - Cheetahs flank Lappies Labuschagné says he feels comfortable about making his Super Rugby debut with two Springboks at his side.
Labuschagné, 23, had to wait four months to make his debut after a shoulder injury prevented him from facing the Lions on February 25.
The Shimlas captain played Vodacom Cup after returning from injury before a sore rib had him on the sidelines again. However, he says he's learned to cope with injuries over the years.
"I've had a few injuries in my career but I've learned to stay positive," he told Volksblad.
He's also very relaxed about his Super Rugby debut against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. He will have Springboks Ashley Johnson and Heinrich Brüssow alongside him in the Cheetahs loose trio, which he feels will help calm the nerves.
"Ash (Johnson) and Heins (Brüssow) make a big difference. They help everywhere in practices and are always willing to lend a helping hand.
"I learn a lot from them.
"The keep you calm," said Labuschagné.
The clash at Loftus kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.
Teams:
Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling
Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Francois Venter
Cheetahs:
15. Willie le Roux, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Andries Strauss, 11. Rocco Jansen, 10. Riaan Smit, 9. Piet van Zyl, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Lappies Labuschagne, 6. Heinrich Brüssow, 5. Izak van der Merwe, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Marcel van der Merwe, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16. Hercu Liebenberg, 17. WP Nel, 18. George Earl, 19. Justin Downey 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Nico Scheepers
Labuschagné, 23, had to wait four months to make his debut after a shoulder injury prevented him from facing the Lions on February 25.
The Shimlas captain played Vodacom Cup after returning from injury before a sore rib had him on the sidelines again. However, he says he's learned to cope with injuries over the years.
"I've had a few injuries in my career but I've learned to stay positive," he told Volksblad.
He's also very relaxed about his Super Rugby debut against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. He will have Springboks Ashley Johnson and Heinrich Brüssow alongside him in the Cheetahs loose trio, which he feels will help calm the nerves.
"Ash (Johnson) and Heins (Brüssow) make a big difference. They help everywhere in practices and are always willing to lend a helping hand.
"I learn a lot from them.
"The keep you calm," said Labuschagné.
The clash at Loftus kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.
Teams:
Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling
Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Francois Venter
Cheetahs:
15. Willie le Roux, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Andries Strauss, 11. Rocco Jansen, 10. Riaan Smit, 9. Piet van Zyl, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Lappies Labuschagne, 6. Heinrich Brüssow, 5. Izak van der Merwe, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Marcel van der Merwe, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16. Hercu Liebenberg, 17. WP Nel, 18. George Earl, 19. Justin Downey 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Nico Scheepers
