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Springbok Prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye Faces Three-Day Anti-Doping Hearing This Week

The case will test a medical-prescription defense against strict-liability anti-doping rules.

Overview

  • Ntlabakanye’s hearing has been set for this week before an independent panel operating under South African Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code.
  • He will not train with the Lions during the proceedings and is set to miss Saturday’s Round 14 URC match against the Dragons at Ellis Park.
  • SAIDS has charged him with two violations involving anastrozole, classified as a specified substance, and DHEA, classified as an unspecified substance.
  • SARU says anastrozole was prescribed by a specialist in early 2025 and taken under a team-appointed doctor’s supervision, while DHEA was disclosed by the player and was not detected in testing.
  • Under strict liability he could face a ban of up to four years, though he has continued to play for the Lions and attended a Springbok alignment camp earlier this month.