Lappes Labuschne back in the game

Labuschagne had a minor injury early in Super 15 and that impacted on his performance in one or two matches.  He was just coming back to his best and then had a groin injury that kept him out of the game for four months.   

He came back for the Cheetahs last week and started for the Cheetahs at no 8.   He played only for the first half - but that is likely to ease his come back into the game.   He had an excellent come back game and was very good in both ball carr ies, defense and line outs.   

Labuschagne signed a contract to join the Bulls next year and I can see him playing at no 8 for the Bulls in future.   Spies has in the main being poor and constantly injured in any event - and Ross was at best average in performance.   

The Bulls are going to have Arno Botha back for Super 15 nest year and I think they are going to play Botha, Du Plessis and Labuschagne as their loosie combination.  My guess is that Lappies will move to openside flank and Botha to number 8 - leaving Du Plessis at 7.   However, Du Plessis is more a lock than a loosie and they may use him at lock.   

The Bulls really need to up the ante with their props though - so that would be another interesting scenario developing in the front row.

Arno Botha will play 8, Labascagne is going to have to learn to play 6 as Coetzee has done. He would make a good 6. That will be one hell of a loose trio. The Bulls losing Willemse at lock is huge though......the should never have let that happen.

Useless Meyer could have helped the cause by selecting Willemse in the Bok squad