Springbok prop faces potential four-year ban after second doping offence

Springbok and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakhanye is facing a potential four-year ban from rugby.

Zuko Komisa

Springbok and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakhanye is facing a potential four-year ban from rugby after a second doping offence was detected by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS).

The 26-year-old, who made his international debut earlier this year, had already been under scrutiny for a previous positive test.

The initial positive test for a banned substance occurred during a routine check while on national duty, which resulted in him being dropped from the Springboks’ tour of New Zealand. Ntlabakhanye, however, has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the substance was a non-performing enhancer prescribed by sports medical professionals to help with a medical condition.

He claims he had been given the green light to use it.

According to a report by the Daily Maverick, the second offence involves the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a “non-specified” performance-enhancing substance.

SAIDS has charged the player with taking the drug in an incident reportedly unrelated to the first. It is further understood that before the test, Ntlabakhanye was transparent and declared that he had taken the substance.

As it stands, Ntlabakhanye is not currently suspended and could still be eligible to join the Springboks’ end-of-year tour to France, Ireland, Italy, and Wales in November, pending the outcome of the investigation.