A former SA U18 prop has been suspended for four years after testing postitive for a prohibited substance.
Deon Botes, who matriculated from Affies last year, returned a positive test for metabolites of nandrolone, an anabolic androgenic steroid, while representing the Bulls at last year’s U18 Craven Week in Middelburg. He later represented SA U18 A in the U18 International Series.
According to the published South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) decision, Botes did not dispute the laboratory findings and requested that his B-sample be analysed. The B-sample confirmed the original result.
The disciplinary panel heard that Botes believed the substance had entered his system through a product called “Testojoint”, which he said he had taken for shoulder pain and recovery.
According to the ruling, Botes claimed the supplement had been bought for cash by his father from an unidentified salesperson outside a pharmacy. There was no receipt, identifiable manufacturer, batch number or expiry date, and the container was labelled as a vitamin or joint supplement with the words “Ultimate Test Booster”.
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“The athlete denied deliberate doping,” the decision reads. “The panel accepts that the athlete and his family gave their evidence sincerely and made substantial efforts to identify an innocent explanation … but they do not establish how the prohibited substance entered his system.”
Saids ruled that the anti-doping rule violation was intentional, with Botes’ four-year period of ineligibility deemed to have started on 25 August 2025 and running until 24 August 2029.
Botes is the second young South African player to receive a lengthy doping ban this year after Wits loose forward Liam Santos was suspended for three years.
Junior Boks prop Kai Pratt is also awaiting the outcome of his B-sample after testing positive for an anabolic steroid during the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship in April.
MORE: Junior Bok’s anxious wait continues
Photo: Affies
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A former SA Schools prop has been suspended for four years after testing postitive for a prohibited substance.
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