Boks pull Asenathi Ntlabakanye following 'adverse' drugs test finding

Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has returned an “adverse analytical finding” during random testing by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).

The 26-year-old disputes that he has committed an anti-doping violation.

South African Rugby said in a statement that the non-performance enhancing substance in question was prescribed by a specialist physician earlier in 2025 for medical reasons and taken under the supervision of a medical doctor appointed to manage the medical affairs of professional rugby players.

They also said that Ntlabakanye was transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith, and followed the medical due process required of him. It was stressed that the tighthead relied on medical advice and had not sought to gain an unfair advantage, nor taken any substance without prior medical authorisation.

He will not be considered for the forthcoming tour to New Zealand in order to focus on defending the case.

SA Rugby stated that neither the player nor coaches will comment further until the SAIDS process is completed.

A giant of a man, Ntlabakanye once tipped the scales at 158kg – which at the time made him one of the heaviest players in the professional game. It was reported earlier this year that he had lost 18kg prior to his most recent Springboks call-up.

Johannesburg-born Ntlabakanye came through the Lions system, earning recognition with South Africa U20s in 2019.

A powerful tighthead prop, he became a regular in the URC for the Lions before making his Springbok debut in 2024.

Ntlabakanye is not the first Springbok to face a doping case. Chiliboy Ralepelle thrice tested positive, eventually receiving an eight-year ban in 2020.

Aphiwe Dyantyi was suspended for four years in 2019 after testing positive for multiple anabolic substances. Fly-half Elton Jantjies tested positive for Clenbuterol in June 2023 and in January 2024 was handed a four-year ban. Johan Goosen and Bjorn Basson also served bans earlier in their careers.