Lions statement: Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye hit with doping ban

South Africa’s Lions have said that they will “deliberate on the appropriate next steps” after Springboks tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye was handed an 18-month doping ban.

The Lions were informed by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) of the ban following a hearing.

The 27-year-old’s “adverse analytical finding” during random testing by SAIDS was revealed in August 2025. He was charged with two anti-doping rule violations – one charge for specified substance (anastrozole) and the other charge for unspecified substance (DHEA).

A SARU media release stated that anastrozole, a non-performance enhancing mediation, was “prescribed by a specialist physician early in 2025 for medical reasons and taken with the approval and the supervision of a medical doctor specifically appointed to manage the medical affairs of professional rugby players.”

The unspecified substance, the performance enhancing drug, DHEA, did not come up in the SAIDS test, but was revealed by the player, with SARU stating: “Ntlabakanye was transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith and at all times followed the medical due process as prescribed by the industry. He relied on the relevant professional medical advice and at no time did he seek to obtain an unfair advantage nor did he take any medical substance without prior medical authorisation.”

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The statement reads: “Lions Rugby Company confirms that it has received communication from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) regarding the decision to sanction Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for a period of 18 months following an anti-doping rule violation.

“The Lions Rugby Company, together with MyPlayers – The Rugby Players’ Organisation, 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.

“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.

“No further comment will be made by the Lions Rugby Company or the player until the process regarding the way forward has been concluded.”

The four-cap Springbok has continued playing this season despite the case looming in the background, and featured for an hour in the Lions’ recent loss to Leinster in Dublin.

He played in South Africa’s last match of 2025, and most recent match, coming on from the bench in a 73-0 win over Wales in Cardiff.

The ban will, of course, rule him out of the Lions’ final match of the United Rugby Championship season on Saturday against Munster, with his ban set to expire on November 13 2027, which will all but rule out his participation at the World Cup, with the final falling on that day.