South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) has confirmed that drug testing is taking place at the U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha.
The spotlight on doping comes after Junior Boks prop Kai Pratt tested positive for an anabolic steroid ahead of the Sanzaar U20 Championship, also in Gqeberha. His sample was taken in Stellenbosch on 10 April.
“We have both an education and a testing team out at Craven Week,” Saids CEO Khalid Galant told Independent Media.
Gelant said testing at the age-group tournament is nothing new, with coaches and players well aware it forms part of the annual showpiece. Testing also took place at last month’s U16 Grant Khomo Week.
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Galant explained that targeted testing relies on data analytics, while performance history, competition profile and commercial value all factor in before individual athletes are identified.
Intelligence-gathering, including tip-offs and supply-chain investigations, plays a role too, he added.
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South Africa currently has no accredited anti-doping laboratory. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) withdrew its Bloemfontein facility’s status last year over unresolved testing flaws.
Samples now go to Qatar, Barcelona and Poland. Galant said this has no material impact on domestic testing, despite cost pressures from the exchange rate.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The post Craven Week drug tests under way appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) has confirmed that drug testing is taking place at the U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha.
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