Lions and Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has received a hefty punishment for an anti-doping rule violation.
The 27-year-old has been banned for 18 months, effective from 13 May 2026, and will only be able to play again from 13 November 2027. He must also forfeit any income and awards he received since first testing positive on 22 May 2025.
Ntlabakanye tested positive for anastrozole, a non-performance-enhancing substance prescribed by a doctor. He was also charged for declaring the use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – a performance-enhancing substance – on a medical form.
The ban was issued by the Independent Doping Tribunal Panel (IDHP), a neutral body responsible for ruling on doping violations, which is appointed by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids).
Saids, World Rugby and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) have 21 days in which to file an appeal against the sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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The Lions received communication from Saids regarding the sanction on Thursday.
“As a result of Saids’ decision, Ntlabakanye’s period of ineligibility commenced on 13 May 2026, which rules him out of this weekend’s round 18 Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture against Munster,” the Lions said in a statement.
Together with the player’s organisation MyPlayers, the Lions will deliberate on the appropriate next steps.
“During this time, the Lions Rugby Company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead,” the statement added.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Ntlabakanye cops big doping ban appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Lions and Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has received a hefty punishment for an anti-doping rule violation.
The post Ntlabakanye cops big doping ban appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
